Last updated: 9/20/2012
Long Island City, New York
Address
36-01 43rd Avenue
Long Island City, NY 11101
phone: 718-784-7700
fax: 718-784-7718
e-mail: info@africanart.org
web: www.africanart.org/

Museum Type(s)

Art

Staff

Lisa Binder
phone:
e-mail:
Virginia Reinhart
phone: 718-784-7700 x128
Description

Opened to the public in 1984, the Museum for African Art is dedicated to the arts and cultures of Africa and the African Diaspora. The Museum is internationally acknowledged as a preeminent organizer of exhibitions and publications related to historical and contemporary African art, with programs that are as diverse as the continent itself.

Get Ready for Our New Building

The Museum was located in a rented townhouse on New York City's Upper East Side from 1984 until 1992, when it moved to rented space in the City's SoHo district. In 2002, the Museum moved to temporary quarters in Long Island City, Queens, and in late 2005 it closed its gallery space there in order to focus on developing plans for a new, larger facility that it would own. In September 2007, ground was broken for a new building that will enable the long-needed expansion of the Museum's exhibitions, public programs, and educational initiatives.

Designed by the celebrated Robert A.M. Stern Architects, LLP, the new Museum for African Art will own and occupy about 90,000 square feet in a mixed-use joint-development project. The new Museum building is located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and East 110th Street, in New York City, where it will join Manhattan's "Museum Mile." With its expansive exhibition and programming spaces, the new facility will enable the institution to dramatically expand the audiences it serves. An announcement of the Museum's public opening date will be made during the final phase of construction.

While it prepares for the public opening of its new quarters, the Museum continues to develop important exhibitions that travel to major venues internationally and are accompanied by scholarly publications. The Museum also presents a wide range of public programs for adults, families, and schoolchildren, held at locations throughout New York City.

Mission

The Museum for African Art is dedicated to increasing public understanding and appreciation of African art and culture. The Museum is recognized worldwide as the preeminent organizer of exhibitions and publisher of books devoted exclusively to historical and contemporary African art.

The Museum for African Art is the center for discovering the arts of Africa, from classic to contemporary.

-We collect, preserve and exhibit art that is as dynamic and diverse as the continent of Africa.

-We cultivate an appreciation for Africa's historical and current impact on world culture

-We inspire respect for Africa and its people by building awareness and understanding of the arts, history, and heritage of Africa.

-We bring diverse communities together and create opportunities for dialogue and experiential and interactive learning.

Educational Programs

The Museum for African Art aims to encourage the development of a lifelong passion for the arts and cultures of Africa. Through specially designed educational programs, the Museum strives to meet a wide range of learning styles and interests for a range of audiences. To learn more about any of these programs, please contact the education department by emailing education@africanart.org or calling (718) 784-7700.

Facilities

While it prepares for the public opening of its new quarters, the Museum continues to develop important exhibitions that travel to major venues internationally and are accompanied by scholarly publications. The Museum also presents a wide range of public programs for adults, families, and schoolchildren, held at locations throughout New York City.

Publications

To sign up to receive the Museum's weekly e-newsletter, with news and information about upcoming events and programs, visit http://www.africanart.org/join.php.

Services
Exhibitions Fund

Now is your chance to personally support the exhibition of your choice from our great array of exhibitions. The Museum is recognized worldwide as the preeminent organizer of exhibitions of African Art. In addition to traveling our exhibitions, we look forward to showcasing them at the end of their tours in our new home on Museum Mile. Funders will have preview viewings of upcoming exhibitions during out inaugural season.

Youth Ambassadors Internship Program Fund

Make a donation to support the Youth Ambassadors Internship Program, which unites diverse New York City high school students to work with the Museum for a full year, providing essential arts and workplace-readiness education along with paid internship experience

Museum Store

Featuring many one-of-a-kind crafts, household and decorative objects. Items found in our store are produced exclusively for the Museum by artisans and craftspeople and imported directly from Africa. Your purchase at our store supports local African artisans and museum programs

Online Gift Shop
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

Virginia Association of Museum's 2025 Annual Conference!

March 15 - 18, 2025

Blacksburg, Virginia

2025 Am Assoc for State and Local History Annual Conference

September 10 - 13, 2025

Cincinnati, Ohio

RECENT UPDATES

Museums

03/07 Pointe Coupee Parish Museum

New Roads, Louisiana

03/07 Uintah County Heritage Museum

Vernal, Utah

03/07 Antrim Historical Society

Antrim, New Hampshire

Museum Vendors

03/07 Digiscura

Encino, California

Museum Associations

03/07 Oregon Museums Association

Portland, Oregon

03/07 Virginia Association of Museums

Richmond, Virginia

03/07 American Association for State and Local History

Nashville, Tennessee