Rubin Museum of Art facts for kids
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Exterior seen from 17th Street
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| Established | October 2, 2004 |
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| Location | 150 West 17th Street Manhattan, New York City |
| Type | Art museum, education center, performance and event venue |
| Collection size | 2,000+ objects |
| Public transit access | Bus: M1, M2, M3, M7, M14A, M14D, M20, M55 PATH: JSQ-33, HOB-33 at 14th Street
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The Rubin Museum of Art, also known as the Rubin Museum, is a special place in New York City. It collects and shows art from the Himalayas, a huge mountain range in Asia. The museum also features art from the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia. Its main focus is on Tibetan art. The museum first opened its doors in 2004. It is located at 150 West 17th Street in the Chelsea area of Manhattan. In 2024, the museum announced it would close its building in New York City. It plans to become a virtual museum instead. This means its art will be shared online and through loans to other museums.
Contents
Museum History: How the Rubin Museum Started
The Rubin Museum began with a private art collection. Donald and Shelley Rubin started collecting art from the Himalayas in 1974. They wanted to share their amazing collection with everyone.
Creating the Museum Building
In 1998, the Rubins bought a building for $22 million. This building used to be a fancy department store called Barneys New York. Architects Beyer Blinder Belle redesigned the building to make it a museum. They kept a cool, six-story spiral staircase inside. This staircase became the center of the museum's 25,000 square feet (2,300 square meters) of exhibition space.
Opening and Early Years
The museum officially opened on October 2, 2004. It showed more than 1,000 art pieces. These included paintings, sculptures, and textiles. There were also special ritual objects from the 2nd to the 20th centuries. The museum's look, especially its new front on 17th Street, was inspired by Tibetan art. Celia Imrey and Tim Culbert, museum architects, designed these parts. A famous graphic designer named Milton Glaser created the museum's logo and visual style.
The Future: A Virtual Museum
In early 2024, the Rubin Museum shared news about its future. Its building in Manhattan would close on October 6, 2024. But the museum will continue its work without a physical building. It will lend its art pieces to other museums. It will also keep supporting and researching Himalayan art all over the world.
The Museum Building: A Closer Look
The Rubin Museum building is very large, about 70,000 square feet. It is in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. The Rubins bought it in 1998 and worked on it from 2000 to 2004. The redesign was a team effort. It included architects Beyer Blinder Belle and designers Atelier Imrey Culbert. Milton Glaser Incorporated also helped with the design.
Inside the Museum
Many of the building's original details were kept. The most famous is Andree Putman's steel-and-marble staircase. This staircase spirals up through six floors of art galleries. Besides the main galleries, the museum has other cool spaces. There's a studio for making art, a theater for shows, a café, and a gift shop. In 2011, the museum also opened a new Education Center. This center is right next to the main museum building.
Exhibitions and Programs: What You Can See and Do
The Rubin Museum has shown many interesting exhibitions. Some of its first shows included "Methods of Transcendence" and "Portraits of Transmission." In 2006, there was a three-part show called "Holy Madness." It focused on special spiritual teachers called Siddhas.
Focusing on Experiences
Over time, the museum started to focus more on experiences. It also highlighted its permanent collection of art. In September 2021, the museum opened a new permanent exhibit. It's called the Mandala Lab. This special space is all about emotional health and wellness.
Public Programs
The museum is also well-known for its many public programs. These include talks, performances, and workshops. They help people learn more about Himalayan art and culture.
Gallery
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Artifact at the Rubin Museum of Art
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Shrine at the Rubin Museum of Art
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Artifact
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Elliptical stairs at the Museum
See also
