Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is an iconic architectural masterpiece designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and completed in 1959.

Renowned for its distinctive spiral form, the museum houses an exceptional collection of modern and contemporary art. The unique design of the building features a continuous, gently sloping ramp that spirals upward around a central skylit atrium, providing visitors with a novel and immersive way to experience the artwork.

The Guggenheim’s collection spans a wide range of genres, including paintings, sculptures, and avant-garde installations, with a particular emphasis on works from the mid-20th century to the present day.

As both a cultural landmark and an innovative exhibition space, the Guggenheim Museum continues to captivate art enthusiasts and architectural aficionados alike, making it a must-visit destination in the world of art and museum design.

History of the Guggenheim Museum

American mining magnate and philanthropist. Guggenheim had a keen interest in art, particularly non-objective or abstract art, believing in supporting and promoting avant-garde and modern art.

Guggenheim’s vision was to create a space dedicated to the exhibition and preservation of non-objective art, and his commitment to supporting innovative and unconventional artistic expressions laid the foundation for the museum’s focus on modern and contemporary art.

Here are some of the key events in the history of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum:

• 1937: Solomon R. Guggenheim establishes the Museum of Non-Objective Painting in a rented space in New York City. Hilla Rebay, an artist and curator, becomes the museum’s first director.
• 1943: The museum moves to a townhouse on East 54th Street.
• 1949: Frank Lloyd Wright is commissioned to design a new building for the museum.
• 1959: The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, opens to the public. The spiral design of the building is considered groundbreaking and becomes an architectural icon.
• 1963: Solomon R. Guggenheim passes away.
• 1976: The Guggenheim Foundation expands, incorporating the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, Italy.
• 1992: The museum undergoes a major renovation, including the addition of a new tower, improvement of the exhibition spaces and facilities.
• 2005: The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is announced, marking the expansion of the Guggenheim Foundation’s global presence.
• 2019: The Guggenheim celebrates its 60th anniversary with various exhibitions and events.

The Guggenheim Museum’s history is marked by its commitment to modern and contemporary art, its distinctive architectural design, and its expansion into a global network of museums.

What To Expect When Visiting The Guggenheim

Visiting the Guggenheim Museum promises a unique and immersive experience in the world of modern and contemporary art.

The museum’s iconic spiral structure offers a visually stunning backdrop for exploring an extensive collection of masterpieces by influential artists.

More features you can expect when you visit the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum include:

1. Iconic Architecture: Experience the iconic design of the museum, a spiral structure designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, which has become a symbol of modernist architecture.
2. Rotating Exhibitions: Explore a diverse range of rotating exhibitions featuring modern and contemporary art, showcasing works by influential artists from the mid-20th century to the present day.
3. Spiral Ramp: Ascend the unique spiral ramp that winds its way through the museum’s interior, offering an unconventional and immersive way to view the artwork.
4. Masterpieces: Encounter masterpieces by renowned artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, and many others, as the Guggenheim’s collection includes significant works from various art movements.
5. Thematic Displays: Experience thematic displays and exhibitions that often reflect cutting-edge and avant-garde trends in the art world.
6. Educational Programs: Engage with educational programs, lectures, and events organized by the museum, providing additional insights into the artworks and the artists represented.
7. Peggy Guggenheim Collection: Explore a part of the Guggenheim Foundation’s global network by visiting the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, Italy, which is also under the foundation’s umbrella.
8. Cafe and Museum Store: Take a break at the museum’s cafe and browse the museum store for art-related books, souvenirs, and unique gifts.
9. Global Network: Understand the museum’s role as part of the Guggenheim Foundation’s global network, contributing to the promotion and preservation of modern and contemporary art internationally.
10. Interactive Installations: Encounter interactive installations and multimedia displays that contribute to a dynamic and engaging museum experience, encouraging visitor participation and reflection.

Guggenheim Museum Location

The Guggenheim Museum is located at 1071 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10128.

It stands between 88th and 89th Streets on the Upper East Side in Manhattan.

Guggenheim Museum Exhibition Times & Tickets

Member Mondays at the Guggenheim

On select Mondays throughout the year, the Guggenheim Museum will remain open for an extra 2 hours, from 6:00p – 8:00p exclusively for members.

Guggenheim Pay What You Wish

Don’t have the money to pay full admission to the Guggenheim?

You are in luck!

From 5:00p thru 8:00p each Saturday you have the opportunity to pay whatever you want to gain admission.

There is a catch as you must pay a minimum of $1, and the suggested amount is $10.

There are also a limited number of on-site tickets available during the pay-what-you-wish hours so it’s suggested that you make an advanced reservation when the tickets are released on Mondays at 12p.

Free Admission For Select CUNY Schools

The Guggenheim Museum extends free admission to the students, faculty, and staff of these select City University of New York (CUNY) schools:

• Brooklyn College
• College of Staten Island
• Hunter College
• Lehman College
• Queens College

Two complimentary tickets are available for each person with an ID card for any of the schools listed above.

Guggenheim Museum Membership

There are 11 different membership tiers to the Guggenheim Museum ranging from $75 up to $10,000 per year.

All membership levels receive the following standard benefits:

• Unlimited free admission to all Guggenheim museums (in New York, Bilbao, and Venice)
• $5 accompanied guest admission at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York
• Digital membership card
• Exclusive discounts on tickets for museum programs
• 10% savings on-site and online at the Guggenheim Store
• 25% discount during biannual Member Shopping Weeks
• 10% savings at The Wright restaurant and the museum café
• Subscription to the members’ email newsletter

As with most other places, the higher the membership level the more benefits you will receive.