Whitney Museum of American Art

The Whitney Museum of American Art displays artworks spanning more than a century of creative expression in a modern building with expansive gallery spaces. The collection includes paintings, sculptures, videos, and various media representing different artistic movements and approaches.

The institution was established after a collector of contemporary art was rejected by another major museum and decided to create her own space. This led to the creation of a dedicated venue focused on showing and preserving American artistic achievements.

The museum displays work by artists who shape American art history and define current artistic directions. Its exhibitions show how artistic expression and the concerns of painters, sculptors, and other creators have shifted through the decades.

The building is located in an easy-to-reach neighborhood with good public transit connections and is surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and shops. Allow plenty of time to explore the multiple gallery levels, as the exhibitions are extensive and worth taking in slowly.

The building design creates wide-open gallery spaces without supporting columns, allowing curators to display artwork in unexpected and flexible ways. This architectural choice gives the museum a freedom to arrange collections that most traditional museum buildings cannot offer.

Location: Manhattan

Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture

GPS coordinates: 40.73290,-73.99830

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:42