As New York museums go, the Studio Museum in Harlem does not hold the largest collection, or even the widest-reaching one, but this has always been a feature, not a bug. First opened in 1968, the museum is focused specifically on artists of African descent, which means it’s been dedicated to Black artists much longer than most institutions in the city. While others have played catch-up in recent years, the Studio Museum has only made its holdings even richer—acquiring its first Basquiat painting in 2023, for example.
The wealth of treasures in the Studio Museum’s possession is obvious based on the collection display currently on view. Following a seven-year closure, the museum has officially unveiled its new home, designed by Adjaye Associates at a cost of $160 million. The beautiful building’s greatest contribution to this elite museum? More galleries, which means more space to show of the institution’s wonderful holdings.
Here’s your guide to 13 terrific works to see at the new Studio Museum in Harlem, which officially begins welcoming the public on November 15.
