Art Museums in New York City

With more than 50 art museums and hundreds of galleries, New York City is a mecca for art lovers. Venerable institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim share city space with upstarts displaying the avant-garde and museums that celebrate a single culture or art form.

Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum

The Cooper-Hewitt, part of the Smithsonian Institution, is exclusively dedicated to historic and contemporary design. Twenty-four centuries of human design are exhibited in the museum, which is housed in the Andrew Carnegie Mansion. Admission as of 2010 is $15 for adults, and $10 for senior citizens and students. There is no admission charge for children under 12. Cooper-Hewitt is open daily. Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum 2 East 91st St. New York, NY 10128 212-849-8400 cooperhewitt.org

Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art

The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art's mission is to educate the public about cartoon and comic art, how it’s made and its importance in history. The museum examines First Amendment and censorship issues in its exhibits of web comics, graphic novels, animation, posters and prints. As of 2010, museum admission is $5 for teens and adults. Admission for children under 12 is free. The museum is closed on Monday. Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art 594 Broadway, Suite 401 New York, NY 10012 212-254-3511 moccany.org

American Folk Art Museum

The American Folk Art Museum’s holdings include works from the 17th century to the present. When it opened in 2001, the museum’s building won the Municipal Art Society New York City Masterwork Award. Admission for adults as of 2010 is $9 for adults, $7 for students and seniors. Children under 12 pay no admission. Admission on Fridays after 5:30 p.m. and at the branch location is free. The museum is closed on Monday. American Folk Art Museum 45 West 53 St. New York, NY 10019 212-265-1040 Branch Location 2 Lincoln Square New York, NY 10023 212-595-9533 folkartmuseum.org

New Museum of Contemporary Art

The New Museum’s downtown Manhattan building was named one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World” by Conde Nast Traveler in April 2008. Works by contemporary artists like Leon Golub, Claes Oldenberg and William Kentridge are displayed in both solo exhibitions and collections. As of 2010, general admission is $12. Members and those under 18 pay no admission. The museum is closed on Monday and Tuesday. New Museum of Contemporary Art 235 Bowery New York, NY 10002 212-219-1222 newmuseum.org

National Museum of the American Indian

The National Museum of the American Indian’s holdings encompasses 825,000 items representing 1,200 indigenous cultures in the Americas. Works in the museum include Native American art, historical and religious artifacts, utilitarian items and paper objects spanning 12,000 years of Western Hemisphere history. The photography collection contains 300,000 images. The museum, part of the Smithsonian Institution, is open daily and there is no admission fee. National Museum of the American Indian The George Gustav Heye Center Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House One Bowling Green New York, NY 10004 212-514-3700 nmai.si.edu

The Studio Museum in Harlem

The Studio Museum exhibits local and international art inspired by black culture. Past exhibitions have included art by Hurvin Anderson and Derrick Adams, videos by Kalup Linzy and photography by Leslie Hewitt. As of 2010, a donation of $7 for adults and $3 for seniors and students is suggested. Children under 12 are free. The museum is closed on Monday and Tuesday. The Studio Museum in Harlem 144 West 125th St. New York, NY 10027 212-864-4500 studiomuseum.org