The 28 Best Art Exhibitions in NYC to Check Out
Hey art lover, we heard you’re going to visit New York City. You’re in for a treat. New York has some of the best art exhibits in the world. Wondering which art fairs and art museums you should check out? Overwhelmed by the number of art exhibits in NYC?
We’ve compiled some of the best art exhibitions going on in New York right now. All that’s left for you to do is book your ticket (some of these art exhibitions are for free)!
The Best Art Exhibitions in New York City Right Now
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01
Art Exhibitions at MoMA PS1
Museum in Long Island City
Check out the local art scene in the MoMa Ps1 art exhibit, featuring work from 47 local, contemporary artists. This exhibit explores art-making in New York history, the resilience of artists, and the feelings connected with art. You’ll see a huge emphasis on foreign-born artists, their work full of Egyptian, Iranian, Tunisian, Nigerian, Mexican, Argentinian, and Indian influences. There is also an abundance of Native American artists to enjoy.
- PACITA ABAD (April 4–September 2, 2024)
- MELISSA CODY: Webbed Skies (April 4–September 9, 2024)
- REGINA JOSÉ GALINDO: Tierra (April 4–August 26, 2024)
- AFTER THE FIRE: Mural Project (ongoing)
My tip: These are the Best Things To Do in New York in Summer.
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02
Exhibitions at El Museo del Barrio NYC
Museum in Upper East Side
El Museo del Barrio NYC is right at the north end of the Museum Mile and exhibits everything to do with art and culture from Latin America. After its expensive renovation in 2009, the museum is better than ever and offers its visitors a collection of over 6,500 artifacts, as well as many permanent and special exhibitions alike.
- Ocama Aracoel (March 14 - August 11, 2024)
- Amalia Mesa-Bains: Archaeology of Memory (May 2 - August 11, 2024)
- Cuerpo: Carlos Martiel (May 2 - September 1, 2024)
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03
Exhibits at Guggenheim Museum
Museum in Upper East SideOur Highlight
First off, The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is an architectural masterpiece. Second, but most importantly, it is the permanent home of a large collection of art named after its founder. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright the bizarrely shaped building is one of the most famous in NYC. Not only is the outside spectacular, but it is constantly expanding its permanent collection. Also, many special exhibitions are showcased here throughout the years. It is definitely worth a visit!
- Thannhauser Collection (ongoing)
- Jenny Holzer: Light Line (Through September 29, 2024)
- By Way Of: Material and Motion in the Guggenheim Collection (Through January 12, 2025)
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04
Current exhibitions at Jeffrey Deitch
Gallery in SoHo
Anyone who’s a fan of New York City’s contemporary art scene knows the name, Jeffrey Deitch. He’s an esteemed curator and art dealer who’s best known for his gallery that operated from 1996 until 2010 called Deitch Projects, where he curated projects such as Post Human and Lives. After shuttering his art gallery, Deitch moved to Los Angeles, where he served as the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) director until 2013.
- no current exhibition
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05
Queens Museum
Museum in FlushingOur Highlight
One of the most well-known museums in Queens is the Queens Museum of Art, which was built in 1939 to host the New York World’s Fair. Many of the exhibits are documents relating to the fair. And the great thing is that admission is always free of charge!
- Glori Tuitt: Black, Trans, & Alive (Qweens Song) (October 1, 2021 - ongoing)
- Caroline Kent: A short play about watching shadows move across the room (December 6, 2023 - December 29, 2024)
- Lyle Ashton Harris: Our first and last love (May 19, 2024 - September 22, 2024)
- Cameron A. Granger: 9999 (May 19, 2024 - September 22, 2024)
- Nsenga Knight: Close to Home (May 19, 2024 - September 22, 2024)
- Catalina Schliebener Muñoz: Buenos Vecinos (May 19, 2024 - September 22, 2024)
- Cas Holman: Prototyping Play (May 19, 2024 - September 22, 2024)
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06
Current exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York
Museum in Upper East Side
A great museum to find out more about the city of New York. Get an exciting look into the history of the Big apple and find out more through a variety of pictures, paintings, clothing, toys and books.
- Byzantine Bembé (through December 8, 2024)
- "Raise Your Voice" by Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya (ongoing)
- "New York at Its Core" (ongoing)
- "Activist New York" (ongoing)
- "Timescapes" (ongoing)
- "Starlight" (ongoing)
My tip: These are the Best Things To Do in New York in November.
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07
Frick Madison Art Exhibition
Museum in Upper East Side
In the temporary new home Frick Madison of the renowned Frick Collection, you can admire renowned masterpieces from the Renaissance to the early twentieth century in the latest Art Exhibition at Frick Madison.
- Where? 945 Madison Avenue
- currently closed
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08
American Museum of Natural History
Museum in Upper West Side
The American Museum of Natural History is one of the more popular museums in NYC. If the name sounds recognizable it’s because the museum was the center of attention in the movie, Night at the Museum featuring Ben Stiller. Regardless of it’s Hollywood fame, the Natural History Museum is a huge institution that features numerous exhibits. This is a great place for families with kids so they can learn about the world’s geography, plants, different animal species and many other things.
The American Museum of Natural History is located in the Upper West Side in Manhattan and is the largest natural history museum in the world.
- "Extinct and Endangered: Insects in Peril" (opened June 22, 2022)
- "Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium" (ongoing)
- "Invisible Worlds" (ongoing)
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09
Exhibits at the Museum of Arts and Design
Museum in Midtown Manhattan
The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) at Columbus Circle is dedicated to contemporary crafts and design. The museum shop is fantastic and offers a range of items centered around design. Be sure to drop in at the café for a break and enjoy the fabulous view of Central Park.
Every Thursday there is a 50% discount on the ticket (from 4 to 7 p.m.). Since the MAD is one of the smaller museums, you don’t have to wait much. By the way: every Friday and Saturday there is a free tour at 11.30 a.m..
- Barbie®: A Cultural Icon (Oct 19, 2024–Mar 16, 2025)
- Anne Wilson: ERRANT BEHAVIORS (ongoing)
- OUT of the Jewelry Box (ongoing)
- Craft Front & Center: Conversation Pieces (Ongoing)
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10
Exhibits at Marc Straus Gallery
Gallery in Lower East Side
The Marc Straus Gallery is a contemporary art gallery in New York City. It was founded in 2011 by Marc Straus in the Lower East Side inside of a four story building that has been reconstructed. The gallery is committed to showing art that has not been seen in decades by older artists. This element of discovery and re-discovery will make you feel like an explorer as soon as your eyes land upon one of these forgotten pieces by a famous artist.
- Shadowland (1 Jun - 2 Aug 2024)
- Anna Leonhardt Jose (3 - 29 Sep 2024)
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11
Exhibits at Canada Art Gallery
Gallery in Chinatown
One of the pioneers of the Lower East Side Chinatown gallery scene, CANADA opened in 2000 and has been a major institution, not a typical gallery, ever since.
- Summer Blockbusterz (Aug 5 – Aug 9, 2024 | Location: 60 Lispenard St)
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12
Exhibits at Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art
Museum in SoHo
The Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art is one of the newest museums in New York and is the only one fully dedicated to LGBTQ+ art. It was recognized as a museum in 2016, but its roots trace back to 1969. The founders Charles Leslie and Fritz Lohman exhibited the first artworks in their Soho loft back then, and today they have over 25,000 objects in their collection.
- I am a thousand different people, everyone is real (March 15, 2024 - January 5, 2025)
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13
Newly Renovated Met Museum Galleries
Museum in Upper East SideOur Highlight
Art lovers, you can’t go to New York without visiting the Met. Even if you’ve been before (lucky you), there is no excuse not to go again since the Met is changing things up. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has moved hundreds of its old art exhibits to new, gorgeously-constructed spaces. The first phase was completed in April 2018, and the second phase was finished in spring 2022. Don’t miss it!
- "Before Yesterday We Could Fly: An Afrofuturist Period Room" (ongoing)
- Cycladic Art (Ongoing)
- Look Again: European Paintings 1300–1800 (Ongoing)
- The Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism (until July 28, 2024)
- Lineages: Korean Art at The Met (through October 20, 2024)
- The African Origin of Civilization (until January 19, 2025)
These are only some of the exhibitions at the MET. Click here for more information.
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14
Exhibitions at The New York Public Library
Building in Midtown Manhattan
Interested in old artifacts, manuscripts, and archives? This is a New York art exhibition you won’t want to miss. The New York Public Library has taken hundreds of items from its expansive archive to create a permanent exhibition called “The Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures.” This exhibit spans 4,000 years in human history, from Columbus’ only surviving letter to King Ferdinand announcing the discovery of the Americas to the first Gutenberg Bible that arrived in the New World. You don’t want to miss this amazing art exhibit in New York!
- "Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library's Treasures" (ongoing)
- Reanimating Theater: The Photography of Friedman-Abeles (Through September 25, 2024 | The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts)
- Photo Call: The Theater Photos of Joan Marcus and Carol Rosegg (May 1–September 28, 2024 | The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts)
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15
McKenzie Fine Art
Gallery in Lower East Side
The McKenzie Fine Art Gallery has been around since 2002 and moved from the Chelsea neighborhood to the Lower East Side in 2012. It focuses on artists who are mid-level in their career, and utilize painting, sculptures, and drawing as their primary medium, or a mixture of them.
There have been dozens of artists who have been able to showcase their talent at the McKenzie Fine Art Gallery. Some of those artists include: Julie Allen, Ann Aspinwall, Paul Corio, Lori Ellison, Tom Leaver, Jean Lowe, and Maureen McQuillan.
- Small World (July 19 - August 23, 2024)
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16
Exhibitions at LUMAS Gallery Soho
Gallery in SoHo
LUMAS is a contemporary art and photography gallery that features work from artists around the globe. Many guests enjoy LUMAS because they feature works from upcoming and established artists, so they feature a diverse collection of art, which is evident the moment you step through the door or visit their website.
Unlike some galleries, LUMAS aims to price and position their works in ways that are more accessible to collectors just starting out and definitely lean toward a style that can be described as a modern aesthetic. When visiting LUMAS’ Soho location, each work is meticulously displayed using acrylic mounts and museum-quality paper for printing, so even without a frame, they still look great in many environments.
- you can find the current exhibitions here on their website
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17
Exhibitions at Front Room Gallery
Gallery in Chinatown
The Front Room Gallery has been a one stop shop for art enthusiasts since it opened in 1999. They are a contemporary fine arts gallery that started in Brooklyn and have moved to Chinatown on Hester Street. Many of their pieces are tied back to social responsibility including political, environmental, and social topics.
Their focus is on exhibiting photography, conceptual and installation based work by emerging artists as well as mid-career ones with an emphasis placed primarily on photographic images but also including sculpture or video installations. The Front Room Gallery has exhibited the work of several artists, including Ken Ragsdale, Thomas Broadbent, Paul Raphaelson, Patricia Smith, Sean Hemmerle, and more. In addition to its exhibition program, the gallery also organizes artist talks, screenings, and performances.
- “Symbolic Convergence” featuring works by Ken Butler, Linda Ganjian, and Melissa Murray (July 13th- September 1st, 2024)
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18
Exhibitions at bitforms gallery
Gallery in Lower East Side
The bitforms gallery is a contemporary art gallery that features mid-career artists utilizing the latest technologies in New York City. The Bitforms gallery was founded in 2001 with the idea that A world-renowned contemporary visual art gallery, bitforms is home to established artists and those on the rise.
- Daniel Rozin: Contours (Jun 6–Aug 3, 2024)
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19
Alexandre Gallery
Gallery in Lower East Side
Alexandre Gallery has two locations. The 25 E 73rd Street location has been around for 20 years, and will stay open for private viewings, and American Modernists from the Stieglitz Circle. It will be appointment only. The late 19th early 20th century is a special focus for Alexandre Gallery. Famous artists such as John Marin, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Joseph Stella have paintings on display at the 73rd Street location.
Alexandre Gallery opened its new location at 291 Grand Street in the Lower East Side of Manhattan on September 9, 2021 with Lois Dodd doing a one-person exhibition. The gallery has 2,000 square feet, and was previously used by James Cohan.
- Summer Gallery Selections (May 28 – July 26, 2024)
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20
Several Exhibitions at David Zwirner Galleries
Gallery in Chelsea
David Zwirner is a German art dealer. He comes from a family of artists and grew up with an art studio on the ground floor of where he lived. He opened his first gallery space in the SoHo neighborhood. In total, there are 3 locations in NY – 19th Street, 20th Street, and 69th Street. In Hong Kong, his gallery is on Queen’s Road Central. In London, you’ll find his gallery on Grafton Street, and in Paris, you’ll see the gallery on rue Vieille du Temple.
- Diamond Stingily - Orgasms Happened Here (June 21—September 14, 2024 | 52 Walker)
- Stan Douglas - The Enemy of All Mankind (Opening September 12, 2024 | 19th Street)
- Ad Reinhardt - Print—Painting—Maquette (Opening September 12, 2024 | 20th Street)
- Doug Wheeler - Day Night Day (Opening September 12, 2024 | 20th Street)
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21
Current exhibits at Krause Gallery
Gallery in Lower East Side
The variety of artforms, and artists presented at the Krause Gallery make this one a must visit. You’ll notice paintings, sculpture, and mostly contemporary art. The Krause Gallery has entered the world of NFT’s. NFT stands for Non-Fungible Token, and is the latest craze in the art world (a NFT is a digital asset that is unlike any other).
- Bustart and Lucas Geor (from July 18th)
- 20 year Anniv Show (from August 15th)
- 20 year Anniv show PART 2 (from September 21st)
- E.LEE x Revolue "Super" (October 17th)
- Penny (from November 21st /December)
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22
Current exhibits at James Fuentes LLC Art Gallery
Gallery in Lower East Side
James Fuentes LLC is a contemporary art gallery located in the heart of New York City. The gallery was founded in 2007 by James Fuentes in the Lower East Side and specializes in presenting innovative and experimental artwork by both emerging and established artists.
- JUAN EDUARDO GÓMEZ - Dusky Rainy Sunny (July 25—September 7, 2024 | 52 White St)
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23
Current exhibitions at Sean Kelly Gallery
Gallery in Hudson Yards
Sean Kelly Gallery, founded in 1991 in New York City by British-born Sean Kelly, represents established and mid-career artists, particularly with work based in installation and performance.
- James Casebere - Seeds of Time (JUNE 27 – AUGUST 2, 2024)
- Ilse D’Hollander - The Color of Shadows (JUNE 27 – AUGUST 2, 2024)
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24
Independent Art Fair
Other Art & Culture in Tribeca
Despite having the words “art fair” in its name, the Independent Art Fair in New York strives to go beyond the concept by embracing different art styles beyond conventional and popular genres. It traces its beginnings to the Dia Center for the Arts in Beacon, New York. The eventual success of the museum and foundation led to the Chelsea neighborhood becoming a thriving art community.
- When? May 11-14, 2023
My tip: These are the Best Things To Do in New York in May.
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25
Frieze New York
Other Art & Culture in Hudson Yards
For art enthusiasts, one of the best things to do in spring in NYC is attending Frieze New York. It’s hosted on The Shed at Hudson Yards and features works from over 1,000 artists and 200 international galleries.
There are many other fun things to do at the festival as well, such as sitting in on one of the famous panel discussions, soaking in the breathtaking views of The Vessel, and most importantly – immersing yourself in many imaginative outdoor and indoor projects.
- When? May 17-21, 2023
Photo by Casey Kelbaugh. Courtesy of Casey Kelbaugh/Frieze
My tip: These are the Best Things To Do in New York in May.
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26
VOLTA Art Fair New York
Other Art & Culture in Chelsea
At the same time as Frieze Week, the VOLTA Art Fair takes place in the former Dia Building in Chelsea’s Gallery District. It presents 49 national and international galleries, and since the Frieze Art Fair is only a 10-minute walk away, it makes sense to visit both art fairs. The best way to do this is to walk along the High Line.
- When? May 2023
My tip: These are the Best Things To Do in New York in May.
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27
Whitney Museum
Museum in Meatpacking District
Newly opened in 2015, the Whitney Museum in New York shines in a whole new light. The Whitney Museum has one of the most spectacular collections of contemporary art that focuses on American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Edward Hopper, Jackson Pollock, and Robert Rauschenberg are just a few of the names whose paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, and installations are part of the exhibits at the Whitney Museum. More than 21,000 works of art are permanently showcased here.
- "The Whitney's Collection" (ongoing)
- Amy Sherald: American Sublime (Apr 9–Aug 10, 2025)
- Christine Sun Kim: All Day All Night (Feb 8–July 6, 2025)
- Hyundai Terrace Commission: Marina Zurkow (Apr 9, 2025–Jan 11, 2026)
- Collection View: Louise Nevelson (Apr 9–Aug 10, 2025)
- Marina Zurkow: Parting Worlds (Apr 9, 2025–Jan 11, 2026)
- Mary Heilmann: Long Line (Apr 9, 2025–Jan 19, 2026)
- Shifting Landscapes (Nov 1, 2024–Jan 25, 2026)
- Sixties Surreal (Sept 24, 2025–Jan 19, 2026)
What art exhibit will you be checking out in New York City first? Let us know in the comments!
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