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Everything you need to know about the Guggenheim Museum in New York

The Guggenheim Museum, located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, is a renowned art museum known for its architecture of spiraling floors and expansive collection of impressionist, post-impressionist, early modern, and contemporary art by renown...

Also Known As

Guggenheim Museum

Founded On

1959

Founded By

Frank Lloyd Wright

Quick Information

RECOMMENDED DURATION

2 hours

TICKETS

From $ 30

NUMBER OF ENTRANCES

5

EXPECTED WAIT TIME - SKIP THE LINE

30-60 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

UNESCO YEAR

2019

Plan your visit

Did you know?

The Guggenheim Museum building was designed to resemble a seashell, with the main spiral ramp representing a continuous journey of discovery.

One of the museum's most iconic artworks is the 'Thannhauser Collection', which includes masterpieces by Manet, Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh.

The Guggenheim Museum has a hidden gem on its rooftop: a sculpture garden featuring contemporary art and stunning views of Central Park.




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Guggenheim Museum collection

The Guggenheim Museum has an extensive collection of over 1,900 artworks by more than 625 artists from the late 19th century to the present day. The museum is one in the group of museums which includes the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

Guggenheim Museum, Collection

Permanent collection and site-specific works

The museum showcases notable installations by modern artists including ‘The Matter of Time’ (1994–2005) by the artist Richard Serra, displayed in Room 104. Jenny Holzer’s ‘Installation for Bilbao’ (1997) is located in Room 101. This artwork has nine columns with text flowing in streams of red and blue LED lights.

Guggenheim Museum, Collection

Bilbao Collection

The third floor houses works from the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao Collection. This collection showcases a journey through some of the leading art movements in the second half of the twentieth century and the early years of the twenty-first. It includes works by renowned artists like Cristina Iglesias, Sol LeWitt, or Mark Rothko.

Guggenheim Museum, Collection

Going Dark

'Going Dark’ at the Guggenheim explores visibility in art. Over 100 works by 28 artists, mostly Black and female, reveal figures at the edge of sight. This exhibition, on view from October 20, 2023, to April 7, 2024, challenges our perceptions and invites introspection.

Guggenheim Museum, Collection

The Matter of Time

'The Matter of Time' is an installation by Richard Serra designed specifically for gallery 104. The eight monumental sculptures posed a huge challenge in terms of both manufacturing and installation due to their weight and fragility.

Guggenheim Museum, Collection

Kandinsky Collection

The Guggenheim has one of the largest collections of Wassily Kandinsky’s abstract paintings in the world. This collection is a testament to Kandinsky’s contribution and legacy.

Guggenheim Museum, Collection

Interactive Exhibits

A series of art galleries, mixed media projects like interactive exhibits involving film technology and soundscape innovations await visitors at the Guggenheim Museum. These exhibits provide an engaging and immersive experience for visitors.

Brief history of the Guggenheim Museum

  • 1920s - 1939: The history of the Guggenheim Foundation started in the 1920s. The museum was established by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation in 1939 as the Museum of Non-Objective Painting. The first director was artist and co-founder Hilla von Rebay.
  • 1943 - 1959: The museum’s building took 15 years to design and build, indicating that the design process started around 1944. The building was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It was one of his longest works in creation along with one of his most popular projects.
  • 1952: The organization was renamed the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum to honor the late philanthropist and museum co-founder, Solomon R. Guggenheim.
  • 1959: The museum officially opened as the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. It contains one of the most impressive and comprehensive collections of Modern art, spanning mid-19th-century Realism to Postmodern sculpture and installation.
  • 1997: The architects Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Gehry are responsible for designing innovative buildings for the museum’s locations in New York City (1959) and Bilbao (1997), respectively.

Who built the Guggenheim Museum?

The Guggenheim Museum’s building is a landmark work of 20th-century architecture designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It drew controversy for the unusual shape of its display spaces and took 15 years to design and build; it was completed in 1959.

Architecture of the museum

guggenheim museum architecture new york

Guggenheim Museum | A world heritage site

The Guggenheim Museum is a swirling symphony of concrete and glass where art and architecture blend in a spiral spectacle. In 2019, this architectural masterpiece was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for Frank Wright’s idea of ‘organic architecture’ that defies the norms of conventional design. This includes an open floor plan, a seamless blend of the outside and inside, and other visual features that challenge the mainstream ideas for building design, thus having a significant influence on modern architecture globally.

Frequently asked questions about the Guggenheim Museum in New York City

How many artworks does the Guggenheim Museum have?

The Guggenheim Museum’s collection includes around 8,000 works as of 2022. This collection is shared with sister museums in other locations.

How can I get tickets to the Guggenheim Museum?

You can buy your skip-the-line tickets to the Guggenheim Museum here or at the museum’s ticket counters. However, it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance to avoid long queues, especially during peak tourist seasons.

How much are Guggenheim Museum tickets?

Guggenheim Museum skip-the-line tickets are priced at $30.

What are the major art collections housed in the Guggenheim Museum?

The Guggenheim Museum houses an extensive collection of modern and contemporary art. It includes works from renowned artists such as Picasso, Kandinsky, and Miró. The museum’s collection includes around 8,000 works as of 2022, which is shared with sister museums in other locations.

What are the main highlights of the Guggenheim Museum?

The Guggenheim Museum is renowned for its unique cylindrical building with a spiral ramp, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The museum’s collection includes prized possessions and pieces, including works from Picasso, Kandinsky, and Miró. The museum always hosts innovative exhibitions and offers a unique experience of layout and display of artwork to its visitors.

Where is the Guggenheim Museum located?

The Guggenheim Museum is located at 1071 Fifth Avenue between 88th and Upper East Side in New York City.

What are Guggenheim Museum timings?

The Guggenheim Museum is open from Sunday to Friday from 11 AM to 6 PM, and on Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM.

Are there dining options available at the Guggenheim Museum?

Yes, Café Rebay is located within the museum and serves pastries, chocolates, fresh sandwiches, salads, as well as Lavazza coffee, tea, wine, and beer. For more dining options, there are several restaurants near the Guggenheim Museum that offer a variety of cuisines.

Is photography allowed at the Guggenheim Museum?

Still photography for noncommercial, personal use is permitted at the Guggenheim Museum, unless otherwise noted in the galleries. However, the use of tripods and camera extension poles is prohibited.

What other attractions are near the Guggenheim Museum?

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is just a short walk away on Fifth Avenue. Central Park is just across the street from the Guggenheim. Other places to see nearby include the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, Neue Galerie, The Jewish Museum, and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir.

What are some must-see paintings inside the Guggenheim Museum?

The Guggenheim Museum houses several must-see artworks such as Édouard Manet’s “Before the Mirror”, Paul Gauguin’s “In the Vanilla Grove, Man and Horse”, and Kazimir Malevich’s “Morning in the Village after Snowstorm” among others.

What exhibitions are going on at the Guggenheim Museum?

The current exhibitions at the Guggenheim Museum include “Going Dark: The Contemporary Figure at the Edge of Visibility” and “Only the Young: Experimental Art in Korea, 1960s–1970s”. The Thannhauser Collection is also on view.

Why is the Guggenheim Museum famous?

The Guggenheim Museum is famous for its innovative architecture designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Gehry, and its extensive collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, early Modern, and contemporary art.

Is the Guggenheim Museum a World Heritage Site?

Yes, the Guggenheim Museum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was recognized for its unique 20th-century architecture designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Who built the Guggenheim Museum?

The Guggenheim Museum was built by the renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It took 15 years to design and build, and was completed in 1959.