Public celebrations kick off on 15 November with free programming and exhibitions
Dawoud Bey, A Boy in Front of the Loews 125th Street Movie Theater (from the series “Harlem U.S.A.”), 1976. Silver print, 8 1/2 × 5 3/16 in. Studio Museum in Harlem; gift of the artist 1979.1.12 © Dawoud Bey
After years of planning, building, and anticipation, the Studio Museum in Harlem will officially open its new permanent home to the public on Saturday, 15 November 2025. The inaugural weekend will launch with a free Community Day celebration, featuring exhibitions, activities, and performances for all ages throughout the entire Museum. The opening marks a monumental milestone for the Museum, its artists, and the Harlem community.
The new seven-floor, 82,000-square-foot building, designed by Adjaye Associates with Cooper Robertson, is located on the Museum’s original site at 144 West 125th Street. It is the first facility ever built expressly for the Studio Museum’s unique mission—providing an institutional space dedicated to artists of African descent.
Community Day and Studio Sundays
To mark the opening, Community Day on Saturday, 15 November will feature free admission, guided tours, drop-in workshops, art-making sessions, and family-friendly programming. The celebration will take place both inside the new Museum and on the adjacent Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building plaza.
On Sunday, 16 November, the Museum will resume its beloved Studio Sundays. This free weekly programming series includes storytime, hands-on art activities, guided tours, and gallery talks for visitors of all ages. Art Bridges supports these initiatives and is part of the Museum’s commitment to broad, inclusive access to contemporary art.
Visitor Information
The new Studio Museum in Harlem will be open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays until 9:00 pm. Museum members can access exclusive early hours on Saturdays from 10:00 to 11:00 am (excluding opening day).
Admission is offered on a suggested donation basis:
- $16 for adults
- $9 for seniors, students, and visitors with disabilities (free for care partners)
- Free for children under 16
- Free for everyone on Sundays
Tickets can be reserved in advance online or purchased at the Museum.
Inaugural Exhibitions and New Facilities
The Studio Museum’s reopening will feature inaugural artist commissions by Camille Norment and Christopher Myers, as well as an installation of works by alums of the Museum’s iconic Artist-in-Residence program. New publications and a comprehensive collection handbook titled Meaning Matter Memory will also be released.
The building will house a public gallery, six studio spaces for resident artists, a café and art shop, a library, workshops, and gathering areas—all designed with community, access, and sustainability in mind. These expanded facilities enable the Museum to serve its audiences more fully, support artistic production on a larger scale, and enhance educational and public programming.
A Campaign Built on Community
The opening is the result of the Museum’s ambitious Creating Space campaign, which has raised over $300 million to fund the building’s construction and long-term sustainability. Support has come from public and private sources, including the City of New York, leading foundations, corporate partners, and generous individuals.
Bank of America serves as the lead sponsor for the Museum’s opening and inaugural exhibitions. The Henry Luce Foundation, the Andy Warhol Foundation, the Terra Foundation for American Art, the Robert Lehman Foundation, and others have also provided significant support.
A Legacy Reimagined
Founded in 1968, the Studio Museum in Harlem has played a transformative role in shaping contemporary art and expanding public understanding of artists of African descent. While the Museum has operated without a permanent gallery space in recent years, its programs have continued to be offered across Harlem and beyond.
With the opening of its new home, the Museum returns with greater capacity, visibility, and impact. The institution remains committed to supporting emerging artists, engaging with local and international communities, and reimagining what a museum can be.
For more information, hours, or to make a ticket reservation, visit Studio Museum in Harlem.
