Last updated: 1/9/2012
1285 Elmwood Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14222
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Douglas G. Schultz
phone: 716-882-8700
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The Albright-Knox Art Gallery is dedicated to enhancing the understanding and appreciation of contemporary and modern art. As a hub of artistic and cultural energies, it strives to be an inspiring educational resource for all audiences.
Founded officially in December 1862, The Buffalo Fine Arts Academy is among the country's oldest public arts institutions, sharing that distinction with the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.; the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia; the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford; and the Yale University Art Gallery in New Haven, among others. At the turn of that century, John J. Albright set this institution on its course by donating funds for a new building. With Edward B. Green as its architect, the Greek revival structure that became the permanent home for the Albright Art Gallery was dedicated on May 31, 1905.
During the middle years of the century, Seymour H. Knox, Jr., became the Gallery's most influential supporter, not only making possible the building of a new addition designed by Gordon Bunshaft, but also amassing a brilliant collection of artworks. The group of nearly seven hundred works collected during this time still represents the most intense period of growth for the Gallery's Collection, a result of Mr. Knox's daring spirit, discerning judgment, and the unique partnership and vision he shared with Director Gordon M. Smith. The new wing that was dedicated in 1962, one hundred years after the founding of the Academy, stands as a testament to Mr. Knox and his vision; his generosity was reflected in the institution’s adoption of a new name, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery.
Visiting the Gallery today promises unexpected surprises. Constantly changing installations and special exhibitions pair contemporary art with the masterworks of modernism, always inviting a reexamination of the old with the new in innovative and exciting ways.
The Albright-Knox Art Gallery's nearly 150-year tradition of collecting, conserving, and exhibiting the art of its time has given rise to one of the world’s most extraordinary art collections. Thomas Hoving, art historian and former director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, said that "the Albright-Knox Art Gallery should be on everyone’s list to see, for it’s an overwhelming art experience. Small, intimate, and seductive, the museum has one of the most thumping modern and contemporary collections in the world."
Gallery visitors will find that the Collection offers a panorama of art through the centuries. Impressionism and post-Impressionism are well represented by leading nineteenth-century French artists such as Paul Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh. Cubism, Surrealism, Constructivism, and other trends of the revolutionary twenties and thirties are documented by a large selection of significant works by Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, Henri Matisse, André Derain, Joan Miró, Piet Mondrian, Alexander Rodchenko, and others.
In addition to this historical framework, the Gallery is committed to facilitating an ongoing and active acquisitions program that assures the Gallery's Collection continues to represent the major new trends in contemporary art of the twenty-first century. In recent years, the Gallery has acquired major works by such artists as Matthew Barney, Mark Bradford, Tara Donovan, Teresita Fernandez, Liam Gillick, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Mona Hatoum, Jim Lambie, Catherine Opie, Jorge Pardo, Jennifer Steinkamp, and Philip Taaffe. These additions to the Collection assure that future generations will continue to benefit from experiencing an internationally based cross-section of modern and contemporary art.
Art'scool, presented by the Albright-Knox and BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, is a school tour program designed to create the critical and creative thinkers of tomorrow. All guided school tours are free, include a transportation subsidy, and are guided by a specially trained docent. Educators can bring their students for a one-time introductory tour, or choose the two-visit program for a more in-depth view of the museum and a curriculum-focused selection.
The Buffalo Fine Arts Academy, founded in 1862, is the governing body of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. It is among the oldest public arts organizations in the United States
The G. Robert Strauss, Jr. Memorial Library is the research and study center for the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. Established in 1933 by Seymour H. Knox, Jr., and his mother Grace Millard Knox, the Library was renamed when it moved to its present location in Clifton Hall in 1992. The new facility, generously donated by Sue and Gerald R. Strauss in memory of their son Bob, is a recognized leader among art libraries in the region.
Access: General Public, Students, Scholars
Appointment required: No
What kind of tour would you like? The Gallery offers free guided tours for K-12 school groups through our Art’scool program, self-guided tours for K-12 school and college groups, group tours for adults through our new Tour AK program, public tours, and verbal description tours. Learn more about each tour option below.
Our online store displays only a small sample of our offerings. We encourage you to contact us; we are happy to assist you in finding the perfect gift.
The Albright-Knox Art Gallery offers its Auditorium and restaurant facilities for rentals Tuesday through Sunday during regular business hours, 7 am to 5 pm. AK café and the Gallery’s Auditorium are unique settings for formal corporate events and informal breakfast gatherings. All event attendees have access to the Gallery’s world-renowned Collection of contemporary and modern art.
Enjoy seasonal specialties in an inspirational setting at AK café. AK café is available for private breakfasts from 7 to 10 am. A variety of cold breakfast items are offered and can be served in a seated or buffet setting amid selected artworks from the Gallery’s Collection. The Sculpture Garden is a visual extension of AK café and provides a beautiful additional gathering space in good weather.
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