Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Art Collection | Albany

The Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Art Collection is a renowned and extensive collection of modern American art displayed throughout Albany’s Empire State Plaza. It was created under the vision of Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller during the 1960s and 1970s, with the goal of integrating world-class art into public, everyday spaces.

Origin and Purpose

Initiated in the early 1960s by Governor Rockefeller, the collection was part of a broader effort to make fine art accessible outside traditional museum settings.

Rockefeller assembled an expert advisory committee, including prominent art figures from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), to curate and guide acquisitions.

The collection reflects Rockefeller’s belief that art could enhance public spaces and enrich civic life.

Collection Highlights

The collection includes 92 major works by 81 leading American artists, many active in New York during the mid-20th century.

Artworks include large-scale sculptures, paintings, and tapestries placed throughout the Plaza’s outdoor spaces, interior concourses, and buildings.

Notable artists featured:

Alexander Calder — kinetic and steel sculptures known for dynamic forms.

Franz Kline — abstract expressionist paintings featuring bold brush strokes.

Helen Frankenthaler — pioneer of Color Field painting with vibrant washes of color.

David Smith — abstract welded metal sculptures.

Joan Mitchell — expressive abstract paintings with rich color and texture.

Robert Motherwell — politically charged and lyrical abstract works.

Many pieces were specially commissioned or selected to complement the Plaza’s modern architectural design.

Location and Accessibility

Artworks are installed both outdoors around the Plaza’s expansive open spaces and indoors in the underground concourse connecting government buildings.

The collection is free and open to the public during Plaza hours, typically weekdays from morning until early evening.

Visitors can explore the art independently or arrange guided tours through the Empire State Plaza Visitor Center.

Cultural Significance

The collection is considered one of the most significant public holdings of modern American art outside a museum context.

It symbolizes Governor Rockefeller’s commitment to culture, public service, and the democratization of art.

The integration of art into a government complex was innovative at the time and continues to inspire public art initiatives nationwide.

The Empire State Plaza Art Collection offers a unique opportunity to experience major works of 20th-century American art in a monumental civic setting, reflecting both artistic innovation and public vision.