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The Noguchi Museum
Noguchi Museum Logo.jpg
Wikist aces 0087.jpg
Established 1985
Location 32-37 Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City, Queens, New York
Public transit access New York City Subway:
Broadway "N" train​"W" train
MTA Bus:
Q104

The Noguchi Museum is a special place in Long Island City, Queens, New York City. It's a museum and a beautiful outdoor sculpture garden. The famous Japanese American artist Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988) designed and created it himself. The museum opened in 1985. Its main goal is to keep and show Noguchi's amazing artworks. These include his sculptures, building ideas (architectural models), stage designs for plays, drawings, and even furniture designs.

The museum has two floors and a large sculpture garden. It's about 24,000 square feet (2,200 m2) big. After big updates in 2004, the museum can now stay open all year long.

History of the Noguchi Museum

Noguchi Museum
The entrance to the Noguchi Museum

In 1974, Isamu Noguchi bought an old printing factory and gas station. These buildings were right across from his New York art studio. He had lived and worked there since 1961. The Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum first opened to visitors in 1985. At that time, it was the first museum in America started by a living artist.

In 1999, the museum's board decided to make big improvements. They planned to spend $13.5 million. This money would fix building problems and make the museum easier for everyone to visit. It would also create a new learning center. While the museum was being fixed, it moved to a temporary spot. It showed some of Noguchi's art there.

In February 2004, the museum officially became a public charity. The Noguchi Museum reopened its newly updated space in June 2004. The building still needed more work in the early 2000s. So, another $8 million project started in September 2008. Now, the museum has 12 art galleries and a gift shop.

In 2022, the museum received $4.5 million in funding. This money came from the Mayor Eric Adams and Queens Borough president Donovan Richards. The funds will help restore Noguchi's original studio and living space. This space is across the street from the museum. They will also build a new two-story building next to the studio. This new building will hold the museum's art collection and old documents.

The Special Tree of Heaven

Until March 26, 2008, a very tall tree stood in the sculpture garden. It was a 60-foot (18 m)-tall, 75-year-old Tree of Heaven. This tree was a main feature of the garden. Noguchi saved the tree in 1975 when he bought the building. He designed the sculpture garden around this tree.

By early 2008, the tree was dying. It was a risk because it could fall onto the museum building. The museum was about to start an $8.2 million renovation. So, the museum hired a group of artists called the Detroit Tree of Heaven Woodshop. They used the wood from the tree to make benches, sculptures, and other things for the museum.

Museum Programs

The Noguchi Museum offers different programs for visitors.

Art Exhibitions

The museum celebrated its 25th birthday with a special art show. It was called On Becoming an Artist. Isamu Noguchi and His Contemporaries, 1922 – 1960. This show ran from November 2010 to April 2011.

Other artists have also shown their work here. These include Koho Yamamoto and Toshiko Takaezu.

Education for Kids

The museum has an education program called Art for Families. This program helps families in the community learn about art. There is also a program called Art for Tots for very young children.

Isamu Noguchi Award

Since 2014, the museum has given out the Isamu Noguchi Award every year. This award honors people who are like Noguchi. They are creative, think about the world, and connect Eastern and Western ideas.

Here are some people who have received the award:

Museum Directors

  • 1989–2003: Shoji Sadao
  • 2003–2017: Jenny Dixon
  • 2018–2023: Brett Littman
  • 2024: Amy Hau

See also

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