Information
Landmark: MoMA PS1City: Manhattan
Country: USA New York
Continent: North America
MoMA PS1, Manhattan, USA New York, North America
Overview
MoMA PS1 ranks among the country’s oldest and biggest contemporary art spaces, famous for showcasing bold, experimental works-sometimes so fresh you can still smell the paint.In Long Island City, Queens, you’ll find it tucked among old brick warehouses, closely tied to The Museum of Modern Art, which has backed it with resources and recognition ever since it became part of the MoMA family in 2000.In 1971, Alanna Heiss founded the Institute for Art and Urban Resources-now MoMA PS1-with the goal of championing bold, unconventional works you’d rarely see in mainstream galleries, the kind that might fill a bare warehouse wall with unexpected color or sound.It started in an old public school built in the late 1800s, its worn brick walls giving the place a character all its own.Over the years, the building shifted roles, opening its wide, echoing halls to massive installations and daring experimental pieces.MoMA PS1’s unusual floor plan lets visitors wander through art displayed in airy, unexpected spaces, embodying its drive to push past traditional limits.In 2000, MoMA PS1 joined forces with The Museum of Modern Art, deepening its reach into the global art world and unlocking chances for shared exhibitions, bold collaborations, and intertwined collections-sometimes even swapping pieces like a vivid Rothko or a weathered sculpture between spaces.MoMA PS1 has built a reputation for championing emerging, experimental artists, with shows that crack open the limits of tradition-sometimes with a splash of neon or a sound you can feel in your chest.The museum offers a lively mix of ongoing and rotating exhibitions, performances, and events, with displays ranging from bold oil paintings and intricate sculptures to immersive installations, video art, and live acts.These exhibitions often spotlight contemporary social issues, play with experimental aesthetics, and push against the boundaries of traditional art-like a canvas splashed with unexpected colors.Previous shows have featured pieces by artists from around the world, tackling big issues like climate change, politics, and technology-one striking canvas showed a city skyline half-submerged in rising seas.The exhibitions often showcase big-name artists alongside fresh, up‑and‑coming voices, like the scent of paint still lingering on a just-finished canvas.Warm Up is MoMA PS1’s hit summer music series, drawing crowds each year with beats that spill out into the sunlit courtyard.You’ll find live shows, bursts of experimental music, and striking architectural pieces set against the museum’s sunlit courtyard.Warm Up has carved out a prime spot on New York’s cultural calendar, drawing crowds with its bold mix of genres and unforgettable performances-from seasoned icons to fresh talent just finding their voice.The Young Architects Program is a yearly competition where up-and-coming designers bring bold, temporary installations to life in MoMA PS1’s sunlit courtyard.The program lets young architects share their designs with a global audience and invites the public to step in, touch, and explore in fresh, creative ways.These installations often tackle themes like sustainability, draw people into the conversation, and reflect on the spaces we build-sometimes with the scent of fresh timber still in the air.Sunday Sessions is a lively mix of performances, artist talks, and community events, drawing neighbors into conversations and collaborations with painters, curators, and local cultural groups - sometimes over coffee and the warm hum of a crowded hall.This program opens a space where people share ideas and dive into contemporary art-paint on canvas, digital installations, even sculpture.MoMA PS1 runs a variety of educational programs designed to draw people into contemporary art, from hands-on workshops to lively talks buzzing with fresh ideas.You’ll find lectures, hands-on workshops led by artists, and guided group tours-all created to spark lively conversations about where art meets society and culture.MoMA PS1 sits inside the old PS1 building, once a bustling public school built in 1892, with tall windows that still catch the afternoon light.Much of the space’s original architecture still stands, its worn stone arches set against the bold, modern art displayed inside.With its towering ceilings and wide Romanesque Revival windows that flood the space with light, the building is perfect for showcasing large-scale contemporary installations.The museum’s layout breaks from tradition, linking galleries through airy open spaces and sunlit courtyards, creating room for flexible exhibits and bold, unconventional art displays.As you wander the building, you’ll often come across art that pulls you in-pieces you can touch, step through, or find tucked into unexpected corners.MoMA PS1 sits in Long Island City, a fast-growing corner of Queens where new cafés line the streets, and it’s just a quick hop from Manhattan or any other borough.You’ll find it at 22–25 Jackson Avenue in Long Island City, Queens, NY 11101, right across from the old brick warehouse.You can reach MoMA PS1 by taking the E, M, or G trains to Court Sq–23rd St, or hop on the 7 train and get off at 21st St–Van Alst, where the platform smells faintly of steel and rain.You can stroll to the museum from these stations in just a few minutes, so it’s an easy trip by bus or train.You can catch the B32, B62, or Q67 right near the museum, making it easy for visitors from Queens and Brooklyn to get here without a car.MoMA PS1 welcomes cyclists, with a Citi Bike station just down the block at 46th Road and Jackson Avenue and sturdy racks dotted around the museum’s entrance.Many visitors choose to cycle, especially when the air is warm and the sun lingers into the evening.The museum is completely wheelchair accessible, and staff can help visitors with disabilities, from guiding someone using a cane to offering extra support for those with limited mobility.The museum works hard to ensure everyone can experience art, whether it’s a quiet watercolor or a bold sculpture catching the light.Planning a trip to MoMA PS1?It’s open Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and Friday from noon to 6 p.m., when sunlight still filters through the galleries.Saturday, noon to 8 p.m.-come by anytime in between.We’re closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so the lights stay off and the door stays locked.Adults pay a suggested admission of $10-about the price of two cups of coffee.If you’re 65 or older, or a student, tickets are just $5-about the price of a hot cup of coffee.Kids 16 and under get in free-no ticket needed.Members get in free-just show your card at the door.Residents of New York City get in free-just show your ID at the gate.If you’ve got a valid MoMA ticket from the past two weeks, you can walk right in without paying a dime.MoMA members get in free-walk right past the ticket desk without paying a cent.Timed Admission: Some exhibitions and events fill up fast, so check availability early and book your tickets ahead to make your visit run smoothly.Planning a trip to MoMA PS1?Exhibits change often, so swing by their official website to see what’s on now and what’s coming next.Photography rules can shift from one show to the next-at one, you might snap away freely; at another, even a single click is off limits.Before snapping any photos, visitors should swing by the front desk to find out the day’s photography rules.Dress for comfort-the museum’s galleries stretch far and wide, and you’ll be glad for sturdy walking shoes when you’re crossing cool marble floors all afternoon.Some exhibits invite you to step in and take part, whether it’s pressing a button, walking through a glowing tunnel, or joining a hands-on activity.In the end, MoMA PS1 stays vibrant, pulling in a wide mix of people with bold contemporary works-sometimes a splash of bright paint still fresh on the canvas.Whether you’re interested, maybe in the warm scent of fresh coffee or the buzz of a busy street, there’s something here for you.
