The Whitney Museum of American Art is a museum in New York City dedicated exclusively to American art. It was founded by sculptor and patron Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, who began organizing private exhibitions from 1907 onwards and established a formal foundation for her collection in 1930. The museum’s first public gallery opened in 1931 in Greenwich Village, showcasing primarily works by living American artists. Over the decades, the collection expanded through acquisitions and donations, now encompassing more than 25,000 paintings, sculptures, photographs, and video installations from the early 20th century to the present. In 1932, the museum launched the Whitney Biennial, a recurring survey exhibition that identifies emerging talent and sparks debate about contemporary art trends in the United States. In 1966, the institution moved into a new building designed by architect Marcel Breuer in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, noted for its distinctive concrete façade exemplifying post-war modernist architecture. This facility served as the museum’s headquarters for nearly five decades and was closed in 2014 in preparation for relocation.In 2015, the Whitney Museum opened a new building in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, designed by Renzo Piano. The structure features expansive gallery spaces, outdoor terraces, and innovative lighting that support changing exhibitions of contemporary art. The permanent collection includes key works by Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, Alexander Calder, Jasper Johns, and many other pivotal figures in American art history. Alongside the permanent collection, the museum organizes temporary exhibitions, lecture series, film programs, and educational initiatives. Upholding its tradition of supporting living artists, the Whitney Museum remains a central institution for the study and presentation of American art from the early 20th century to today.
