The Studio Museum in Harlem

Looking forward to the reopening of the Studio Museum in Harlem. Designed by Sir David Adjaye (born 1966), the exterior reminded me of Bangkok's Robot Building. Just the eyes are missing... In its dark coloring it looks slightly sinister, similar to Adjaye's 130 William Condominium in Lower Manhattan.

Really enjoyed this with artistic and thought provoking exhibits on three levels. Some but not all items make strong social commentary that should make one reflect. They told us they will close in 10 days for over a year to knock down and rebuild a larger museum facility on the same plot.

This is a fantastic museum that definitely deserves more visitors. The culture and art of Harlem is truly displayed in this space. It's also a very instagramable location.

Amazing views of blackart with quiet surroundings and cool factor. The art and history will make you go WOW!

Museum galleries are closed while under renovation for the next 3 years but you can visit various instillations by checking out their website. Just a heads up for anyone trying to visit in the near future.

Excellent place to go to see art from known and unknown harlem artists.

The installations and peices are beautiful but quite abstract. We were not only out of towners but out-of-countryers, as appreciative as we were, the nuance must have been lost on us. Still worth the visit and exploring!

work is in progress at the moment, it will be amazing after completion 👏

March 2016... the space is great. Place nice and also clean. Workers present that day were very nice . guy at desk took time to talk with us about some history and also about the artists.. suggested price except Sundays (free) is $7 but u can give whatever you have. I'm not really artsy so maybe i don't understand some of the pieces!? Maybe i was supposed to think deeper but I was 2 tired to think. I hear the art changes so everytime u go maybe something different. This is a pure review from my drafts folder written after that visit (not sure how Ive never checked that folder:( . I had to give them their props no matter how long ago!! Update 2022 I see they're listed temporarily closed I wonder if Covid affects.. Anyway I wish them well

I remember seeing one of the first major exhibitions of Chakaia Booker's rubber tire pieces here years ago. At the time, I don't know where else in the city I would have seen such a display. Now, her work appears in the collections of major art museums African-American artists are still woefully under-represented at leading art museums in the United States although it seems more museums are making an effort. Fortunately, the Studio Museum continues to showcase work by new and important artists of color. I used to visit here regularly when I lived in NYC and wish I could stop in more often now because there is always at least one artist whose work on display is something new for me. While that was certainly true on this time, I was glad to again see Elizabeth Catlett-Mora's 'Mother and Child, a life-sized mahogany figure. It's one of my favorite sculptures and it was like encountering an old friend.

This museum had been on my place to visit list forever. I finally went with some friends on Uptown Friday's and was in for great surprise. We paid $7 for admission and saw some cool exhibits. The museum itself was small but spacious enough for you not be too cramped with other visitors. The staff were cool and friendly. After checking out the exhibits, we mingled in their spacious courtyard and jammed to some African-Neo Soul music that started off with just a few people. Within the hour the courtyard was packed and people were jamming and enjoying themselves. The crowd was diverse and mature and I really enjoyed the eclectic vibe of the event. After another hour or so we could hardly dance without being bumped into someone else. This is definitely an event to check out during the summer, this museum truly represents the new Harlem.

I've been to more than a dozen membership institutions of IDNYC, and this was the first one that did not offer free admission to someone who signed up for membership until after the paperwork is processed. The exhibits themselves are quite lovely. There seems to be an emphasis on contrasting colors and magical realism that makes you look twice at the everyday things.

Interesting art museum in the middle of the Harlem neighborhood. It's relatively small, but large enough so you can enjoy all the various paintings and sculptures by African-American artists. Front desk staff are pretty friendly and helpful. It's $7.00 for admission, which isn't too bad!

Really, this place is more like a large gallery than a museum. There's one big room on the main floor, an alcove, a balcony, and two rooms downstairs. Right now, the main exhibit is on Romare Bearden and his influence. In general, this museum has much hero-worship of Romare Bearden going on. Which makes sense, since Bearden was arguably the most famous artist associated with the Harlem Renaissance. There's also an alcove featuring a video installation, and a few works by new, local artists. Downstairs is a chalk-on-chalkboard installation picturing an urban city block (and, umm, they should have sprayed it with fixative so visitors couldn't smudge it all over the place), and a small curated exhibition focusing on expressing identity through fashion. Definitely worth a visit, but not blow-you-away amazing. Free admission on Sundays.

Nice little Museum. 1) They are free Sunday's. I will not recommend coming here if you have to pay the full price. However, the free Sunday's is awesome. 2) It is a small museum, I was finished with the entire thing within hour. 3) Overall, the exhibits are great. I found it to be unique and wonderful.

Pretty interesting! An array of different types of artwork and exhibits. A couple of video installations as well. I think it's probably not worth it unless you come on a free Sunday. You could spend perhaps about 45 minutes here.

Wonderful art gem in the middle of Harlem. Happened to stroll by here this Sunday morning while checking out the street vendors, and saw it was free on Sundays so I decided to take a look. As most others have pointed out it really is an Art gallery more than a museum and not something you would spend more than an hour in really, but what they have is some really fantastic work. Definitely pieces you wouldn't get to enjoy elsewhere. If ever you find yourself in Harlem on a Sunday with some time to spare do yourself the favor of making a stop here.

So this added to my disappointment with my Harlem visit, and maybe disappointment isn't the right word...maybe let down is.... We went to this museum because we read about how it had a photo collection from the famous Harlem Renaissance and I have always been interested in the history behind Harlem so we paid the student price (a whopping $4 ha ha) and got ourselves prepared for a trip back in history to one of the most historic parts of NYC. You could tell just walking through the city streets on the way here how affluent and up and coming Harlem used to be, with nice wide avenues, beautiful brick houses.... So we went around the museum and there was a small collection of modern art from local artists and artists in Africa which was interesting to see. Then we thought we got to the end of the museum but hadn't seen one piece of artwork or photo from the harlem renaissance so we decided to ask one of the curators.... Our conversation: Me: "Excuse me, does this museum still have the photos from the harlem renaissance?" Curator: "Yes" Me: "Well....where is it?" Curator: "It is in our permanent collection." Me: "Oh okay great! Where is that so we can go see it?" Curator: "It is in storage." Me: "Ummm...your permanent collection on harlem history is in storage?" Curator: "Yes" Then we left...enough said I think

Nice place in the gentrification side of Harlem. Lots of stuff to do and see inside, modern feel to this museum.

This is one of New York's great neighborhood museums, and it's been on a roll lately with a series of adventurous group shows detailing the far-out regions of black artistic imagination. There was one about Afrofuturism, science fictions, utopia/dystopia in the winter, and on my last visit I saw "When Stars Begin To Fall," about folk and vernacular art and how the visual language of that has influenced "professional" artists. i want to put the last part in quotes because the exhibition as a whole makes you wonder what that even means, especially when the unprofessional work, in many cases, looks better. There's just a freshness or spontaneity or freedom about it that lots of artists have a hard time preserving when they go through the system of schools and galleries and adapt their vision to conventions of mediums and art histories--things that folk artists never have to think about, unless of course they want to--though of course the best artists always manage to do that, and some of them are represented here. I won't detail everything I saw, but one particularly memorable installation was by Jacolby Satterwhite, who framed and hung drawings by his mother (an "outsider artist" of sorts) of strange variations on familiar household objects, over a wallpaper he made of 3D digital renderings of those objects, alive in a raucuously colorful montage landscape that he imagined around them. It felt like the heart of the whole exhibition, a place where the relationship between folk arts and the world of museums was an intimate, familial one of loving kin. I'd like to give the Studio Museum five stars but the architecture of the galleries is not that great. The central gallery has a plopped-down feeling that makes work installed there feel random, and it's wreathed by a balcony of uneven width. The narrow corridor on the balcony's east side is always used for small shows unrelated to what's going on around it, and the shape of it (one long wall) poses a real challenge for anyone who wants to develop a story in art that's more complex and compelling than a this-then-that, one-after-another sequence. The balcony also casts shadows, or maybe it's just the yellowness of the lights they use that make everything feel dimmed. Anyway, I realize these are not simple problems to solve, and despite them I will keep coming back to the Studio Museums and doing my best to enjoy the great exhibitions here.

Price: Free Highlight: First Fridays; The Staff Hellooo First Fridays!!!! I have never noticed this museum before although they are smack dab in the middle of 125th street accessible by almost every train. First Friday happens once a month from 6-9pm and patrons get to browse the museum's collection, collect an $8 drink or few in the lobby and then enter the courtyard to mingle and dance. It is an open minded space and everyone dances, as in everyone, skill level in dance is irrelevant and everyone is sad when the music shuts off promptly at 9. The staff was wonderful.

Great little museum in the heart of Harlem. I had been wanting to visit for some time and I'm happy I finally made it there. Great gift shop and helpful museum attendants. Not much traffic, so at times, I felt like I had the whole museum to myself.

Everyone should come here if they're ever in the Harlem/Uptown area. Even if you're not in the area, you should make it a point to visit this museum. Everything about this museum is welcoming - the architecture, the staff. The admission price posted @ the door is $7 dollars for adults, but the concierge explained to us that it's a SUGGESTED $7 donation for adults and a SUGGESTED donation of $3 for seniors & adults. Also, every first Saturday of the month is FREE admission. The winter installation ended on 3/18/07. This installation, Africa Comics, featured hand-drawn comic strips from all over the African continent. I lucked out & came to the museum on the last day of this installation. Although the museum will be closed for the next three weeks, the Studio Museum will re-open w/ a new & exciting exhibit PHILOSOPHY OF TIME TRAVEL - What would happen if an inanimate object of the past could exist in the future? This installation will have an opening ceremony on 4/11/07 filled w/ music, drinks and food...according to the very friendly museum rep. :D

I was desperately trying to shake off a crappy mood from my horrible breakfast at Amy Ruth's. A brisk walk around the corner and down the street to "Target Free Sundays" at the Studio Museum was the cure! I'm such a supporter of this institution that I was willing to pay even though it was free on Sunday, courtesy of Le Target. Studio Museum is small, but definitely historically significant. I try very hard not to miss a trip there when I'm in NYC. Thelma Golden and staff have done an incredible job with everything from fundraising to innovative and meaningful exhibits. I *loved* the Romare Bearden tribute exhibit (commemorating the artist's 100th birthday) and also getting to see some his original pieces. Cool bonus: Finding a piece in the tribute exhibit from my high school classmate Simone Leigh -- Kenwood Academy, represent! I had a seat in the lobby before heading out and noticed a stream of people heading to a downstairs area -- they were there for a quilting class! Apparently Studio Museum offers all kinds of classes like this that engage not only people in the neighborhood but around the city--gotta love it. Again, kudos to Studio Museum for keeping up the great work of preserving the work of African-American art, artists and culture, and providing an outlet for others to experience it. Ashe!

Conveniently located in the "heart" of Harlem, the studio museum is great to wander through after having a hearty "gospel" brunch. It is FREE on Sundays! The museum holds an interesting collection of contemporary art. Look for Romare Beardon and others! Enjoy!

Ok I really really really LOVE it here! It is more like a gallery, but I'm assuming the "studio" in the name serves to imply the smaller than "massive museum" size. Anywho, the art selection is thought provoking and infectious enough to make you want to return to view it twice. The staff is definitely friendly and nice, just DO NOT let your grubby children run wild, they will "check you boo" OK, not in that manner, but very curt and professionally. I hope everyone that visits NYC stops in and checks out Studio Museum Harlem. **Oh, and lastly I totally had a celebrity spotting--I saw Ms. Thelma Golden!!! *big grin

I went specifically to see the Gordon Park exhibition but was surprised by all of the other amazing exhibitions they have currently on display. This is not your typical stuffy museum where the art work is just there for you to stare and admire, the displays here are truly thought provoking and focus on subjects that many other places take for granted. They also had an interactive workshop taking place today and I was able to make a collage which I'm planning on hanging on my fridge. The best thing about this place is that it's free every Sunday!

Beautiful exhibits, horrible staff. I was yelled at by one security guard when pointing to the letters on an exhibit for my 1 year old. I took a photo "NO FLASH" oh, im sorry didnt know it was on... When I finished exploring level two, I was followed to the bathroom. Soon as I came out the security guard from upstairs was there. I walked toward the elevator, she quickly spoke into her walkie talkie "two coming up", then proceeded to wave my sons hand away from the elevator button to go up to the lobby "no no" she pushed it for us... I felt utterly uncomfortable and probably will miss any future beautiful installations....

It is a very nice space and the suggested donation is relatively inexpensive ($7) compared to other museums. It is doesn't have many exhibits, but the ones they did have were okay. It has great potential, it just needs to build up a bit more. I'd like to go back in a few years to see how it has progressed. In short, if you are a local and have the time, come through on a lazy afternoon. Otherwise, I'd recommend hitting up the other museums if you are crunched for time or if museums aren't really your thing.

I quite enjoyed the visit to Studio Museum Harlem. It's a deceptively large gallery space with numerous levels, but not so large it becomes overwhelming. I particularly liked the afrofuturist exhibition that was on when we visited. Entry is extremely affordable, and the gallery staff were probably the friendliest and most helpful I came across in New York. There's a gift shop that looked to have a good range of products, but I avoided the temptation to go in (and spend all my money).

I'm really not an art museum person so I don't know if I didn't appreciate half the collection or if it really just over my head. However, it was free on Sunday and they had a special art project. You could make your own button. I really enjoyed the project and I made only one button at first. Once I entered the collection and realized that I didn't really like it I went back and made several buttons. They provided all the materials and all I had to do was find some creative juices and get to work.

Gem of a museum! They feature a lot of young, urban, up and coming artists which I love. Great place to see some modern art. It's small so you can probably navigate the whole museum in an hour or so. Free on Sundays. Cool gift shop. I have purchased some dope jewelry there.

The Studio Museum in Harlem is a great addition to the historical background of 125th street, and is a strong addition to New York City museums in general. The museum has been showing amazing exhibitions, and it well know for their Artist-in-Residence program, giving artists studio place to work in (which springs from the museum's name). Recently they have been showcasing works from their permanent collection, along with exhibitions curated by the staff. The museum also published Studio Magazine, a print version of what's going at the museum as well as news and exhibits around the world. The museum isn't large, but it has quality and character, and demands a visit. Check out their website for upcoming programs and events!

Fabulous. It is always free on a Sunday. It is quite small. There is small upper level with a larger lower level. There is a courtyard that I've never been to. The gift shop is adorable with exciting knick backs and books. It's a gray place to grab something to decorate your apartment like a coffee table book. Rock out. Go with the art lovers in your life.

I was surprised how much I loved it! Beautiful and thought provoking pieces. Plus Sundays are free!

Great museum with different views of art. It is suggested to pay for entry. Donate what ever you can afford. Help keep museums like this one open. Great birthday gift to my hubby who is a pro-black individual. I learned a few things myself and you should get out when I can to see it too.

Great cultural institution in Harlem.... im happy it exists. They always have a number of really good art and music based events. SUNDAYS ARE FREE - A welcome walk through of bright creative bliss on a sunday afternoon.. 3 floors, mixed media portrait video and sculpture

Fantastic place that constantly rotates its exhibitions. It seems small, but it has 3 floors, each with its own vibe. Has a student discount, but if you can't afford even that it's free on Sundays. I like that it has postcards at the front display you can take as memorabilia or to actually use to promote the museum.

Um... five stars? Seriously? Are you kidding? The category is "museum"? What's there is good- I thought the painting by Titus Kaphar were really stand out. Unforch, there is no "permanent exhibit" and the whole space takes about fifteen/twenty minutes tops to see. Again, what was there was cool, but I was hoping for more- like a permanent exhibit devoted to the art of the harlem renaissance... Honestly- that's what I was looking for.

I was in the area and checked this place out - VERY IMPRESSIVE! The location is conveniently located, the staff are real cool, the price is right ($7 versus any other museum in NYC?!) and the collection is sick! I love it! I'm a photog so the take risks work shown left me inspired. The pieces in each collective varied but all were relative to one another - a beautiful thing. The museum is mid-sized and not overwhelming. You can take your time absorbing the work with each artist in this three level venue. I love the design of this place - I will definitely be back on 125th more often to check out the First Fridays - which is free - and to see other exhibitions! Thx for the hospitality SMH!!

Dropped by to get an IDNYC membership to learn it was free Sundays anyways, which meant some European tourists were in here that you'd never otherwise see. Nice space with some interesting work, and apparently it makes you think, as the top mention was 2 people calling it "thought provoking" (sans hyphen).

Brought my students here to see the African comics exhibition. Really thought provoking and they totally got into it. It's a beautiful space with interesting art and friendly, knowledgeable staff.

Beautiful museum in Harlem. The exhibit right now is so fascinating - one of the artists uses hair and nails to convey sentiments about the African American experience. Very neat space.

Fabulous exhibits and great events. They have networking nights where you party with other professionals in the neighborhood and they used to do film screenings in the outdoor space. Great cultural institution in Harlem.

I understand that many people are disappointed when they find the Studio Museum does not house a large permanent collection of classic African American artists. The collections are small curated displays that lean towards the modern and include artists across the African Diaspora. While it would be nice to also have, for instance, a Harlem Renaissance collection-the Studio Museum provides a unique and modern venue for artists and pieces one might not otherwise find. The In Studio magazine is gorgeous, and I have held onto a few of them with outstanding photos from the museum. While perhaps not a destination museum for those with limited time in New York, it is absolutely worth a trip uptown for locals and those who are in the city often. Visit the website to see what is on display and just keep an open mind.

Neat museum-- free on Sundays!

Free entrance and art projects for everyone on Sundays. Gotta love it!

This museum is fantastic. I really enjoyed the Gordon Park exhibit.

An excellent experience. It is a very nice facilitate and director and chief curator Thelma Golden knows how to put exhibits together. She came up in my contacts as Golden, Thelma let's just drop the comma from here on out, Golden Thelma puts great things together here!

Went and saw the Dawoud Bey exhibit so looked at all they had to offer on their FREE Target Sunday. Museum is small but worth going to at least once if you have not been there. I really liked the Dawoud Bey exhibit very much. There was an array of art there to see not all african american but still appealing to those who like art should go and support.

More of a gallery than a museum, however, a must-see when visiting Harlem! The permanent collection on ground floor is fun and don't miss the gift store. Sunday's are a great day to go and try to gather some friends for an opening...Good times with art and wine!

My cousin and I went here before eating out and so much history. I loved all the exhibitions especially Gordon's Park's photographs. So inspiring. Sundays the museum is free thanks to Target. So awesome!

This is a museum that is off the beaten path but very much worth the detour. The museum staff's commitment to mentoring the next generation of NYC artists is commendable. I enjoyed the installation and the interactive tour of the exhibit. This is a must see while in Harlem.