Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art

Arts organization · Chelsea

Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art

Arts organization · Chelsea

140 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011

Highlights

Himalayan art, sculptures, textiles, rotating exhibits, live music

140 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011 Get directions

rubinmuseum.org

@rubinmuseum

@cntraveler

28 Best Museums in New York City

"Located in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, the Rubin Museum is dedicated to the art of the Himalayas and India. Spanning 1,500 years and 38,000 pieces, the Rubin's collection is a comprehensive, unparalleled deep dive into the art of the Himalayas, composed of sculptures, paintings, installations (that display rituals such as Nepalese wax metal casting), and reproductions of murals of Tibet’s Lukhang Temple. Fascinating temporary exhibits showcase, for example, photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson's documentation of mid-century India, or the ceremonies, agrarian festivals, and natural environment in Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley." - Andrea Whittle, Charlie Hobbs

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-museums-in-new-york-city

View Postcard for Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art

@afar

"Happy hour with live tabla music; a mindful meditation session; a collection of imposing shaman masks; and temporary exhibits like Henri Cartier Bresson’s photos of Gandhi’s final days. These are just a few of the varied reasons to visit the Rubin. It’s a museum on a mission—to promote cross-cultural understanding and provoke an emotional response as you explore the cultures of the Himalayas. The permanent collection dates back about 1,500 years and includes art from India, Mongolia, and Nepal. It’s organized by theme across six floors connected by a grand spiral staircase. For a moment of zen, be sure to stop in the Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, part of the Sacred Spaces installation, featuring offering bowls, sculpture, and paintings."

The Best Museums in New York City

View Postcard for Rubin Museum of Art

Isamari Burgos

Google

Place is PERMANENTLY CLOSED. I tried to make an edit for this business that it was permanently closed, it was accepted with Google maps but they never added that it was when I went to check again. Tried to come here to check out the exhibits but it’s all online virtually. Don’t bother coming here because it’s closed and a waste of time. Seems like they want people wasting their time coming here to then see that it’s permanently closed. The museum has to put out a sign or something, and to accept this as a permanently closed space on Google maps.

Sue Su

Google

Visited in last day and last moment before the museum getting closed after 20 years. Unique closing party with performance from traditional culture born from Himalaya. A lot of spectacular sculpture in this museum from 16-17th century when people spent decades to craft a master piece instead of leveraging 3D printer. Hopefully the exhibition will be available somewhere else in the world.

Pyro Cinical

Google

What a great find in NYC! This museum display a wide variety of Indian, Himalayan, and Tibetan arts and crafts. Furthermore, it provides a perspective on how living is like in that region, and religious beliefs and practices as well. The museum itself occupies 6 floor in all, centered around a large spiral staircase. Prepare at least an hour to view it all, if not more. However, if you want to visit, you'll need to get there quick. As it will be closing in October 2024.

Rana Siroosian

Google

It was a nice museum. We went on Friday evening and they had a DJ as well but I’m not sure if they have it every Friday. If you know about Asian art it would probably be more interesting to you, I only knew a bit but overall it was nice. If you buy drinks from the bar make sure you finish it before going up for the museum because they don’t allow drinks/food on that floor. There is also a little shop where you can buy something.

W Y

Google

Love this museum. It’s dedicated to the collection, display, and preservation of the art and cultures of the Himalayas, the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia. Their permanent collection focused particularly on Tibetan art. Sad they are closing the place after 20 years.

Iván Montejo

Google

As a Buddhist and art aficionado myself I had been looking forward to visiting The Rubin for a while. The spiral staircase at the center of the museum is almost legendary and in a way resonates with the philosophical exhibits throughout. Housing mainly Tibetan, South and East Asian art - this has become one of my favorite spots in the city. In addition to the permanent exhibits, I'd recommend visiting the Mandala lab, and the sensory experiences. Fantastic!

Katie Luthor

Google

The Rubin Museum of Art is a treasure trove of Himalayan and Asian art, offering a captivating journey through centuries of culture, spirituality, and creativity. From intricately crafted sculptures and vibrant paintings to ancient artifacts and contemporary masterpieces, every corner of the museum invites exploration and contemplation. The serene atmosphere and thoughtful curation provide a perfect backdrop for quiet reflection and deep appreciation of the artistry on display. Whether you're an art enthusiast or simply seeking a moment of tranquility in the heart of New York City, the Rubin Museum promises a truly enriching experience that lingers long after your visit.

Juliana

Google

Edit: This museum is full of stolen works. Ask yourself, how did a museum in NYC end up with so many holy objects from the other side of the world? The building and neighborhood are lovely. The art is ok, it’s a bit repetitive and there actually isn’t much of it. The subject matter just didn’t excite me. It reminds me of medieval art because every painting/sculpture has a religious context and you see a lot of the same motifs over and over. It’s just not my taste I suppose. There are also only 4 toilets in the whole museum which is a little odd. They do have a nice big cafe with lots of space to sit, which could be good for working.