Studio Museum in Harlem facts for kids
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| Established | 1968 |
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| Location | 144 West 125th Street Manhattan, New York City |
| Public transit access | Subway:   to 125th StreetBus: M7, M60 SBS, M100, M102, Bx15 |
The Studio Museum in Harlem is an American art museum in New York City. It focuses on art made by artists of African descent. The museum is currently closed for a big building project. A new building will replace the old one at 144 West 125th Street in Harlem.
The museum started in 1968. It collects, saves, and shows art by African Americans. It also features artists from the African diaspora and the African continent. The museum offers art shows, programs for artists, and educational events. It also has a permanent collection of art.
Since it first opened in a rented loft, the Studio Museum has become famous. It is known for supporting artists of African descent. Its Artist-in-Residence program has helped over one hundred artists. Many of these artists have become very successful. The museum also has many programs for students and teachers. These include talks, discussions, and performances. The museum also creates books and guides about art history.
Museum History
The idea for the Studio Museum came from a group of people. They believed that the African-American community should have its own museum. This museum would show their interests and experiences. It opened in 1968 in a rented space.
In 1982, the Studio Museum in Harlem moved to its current spot. Here, it focuses on showing art by both new and well-known artists of African descent. The first art show, Electronic Reflections II, opened in September 1968. It showed art by Tom Lloyd. Charles Inniss was the museum's first director. Later directors included Mary Schmidt Campbell and Thelma Golden, who is the current director.
From 1970 to 1978, Gylbert Coker was the first chief curator. She helped organize the museum's art collection. She also helped save and clean Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project murals at Harlem Hospital. She put together important art shows. These included shows about Bob Thompson and Hale Woodruff.
The museum first focused on workshops and art shows. These gave artists a place to create and display their work. This idea led to the Artist-in-Residence program. The African-American painter William T. Williams helped create this program. He thought it was important for Black artists to work and show their art in Harlem. Williams and sculptor Mel Edwards helped get the first studio spaces ready. The first artist to work there was Valerie Maynard.
The museum also has an education department. In the 1970s, artists Janet Henry and Carrie Mae Weems worked there.
In 2001, architects Rogers Marvel Architects designed parts of the building. This included the entrance and art spaces. The museum's Artist-in-Residence program celebrated 40 years in 2010. This program has helped over one hundred artists grow their careers.
In 2015, famous architect David Adjaye was chosen to design a new home for the museum. He also designed the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture. The new building will allow the Studio Museum to have more art shows.
Artist-in-Residence Program
Each year, the Studio Museum offers a special program for artists. Three new artists, from anywhere in the world, can join for 11 months. They get a free studio space to work in and some money. Artists can use the museum's studios. They are expected to work there at least 20 hours a week. They also take part in open studio events and public programs. At the end of the program, the museum shows the artists' new work in its galleries.
Some past artists in residence:
- Kehinde Wiley, 2001–02
- Mequitta Ahuja, 2009–10
- Njideka Akunyili, 2011–12
- Sadie Barnette, 2014–15
- Kevin Beasley, 2013–14
- Jordan Casteel, 2015–16
- June Clark (artist), 1996–1997
- Gregory Coates, 1996–97
- Bethany Collins, 2013–14
- Abigail DeVille, 2013–14
- Lauren Halsey, 2014–15
- Allison Janae Hamilton, 2018–19
- EJ Hill, 2015–16
- Jibade-Khalil Huffman, 2015–16
- Texas Isaiah, 2020–2021
- Steffani Jemison, 2012–13
- Lauren Kelley, 2009–10
- Autumn Knight, 2016–17
- Simone Leigh, 2010–11
- Eric N. Mack, 2014–15
- Meleko Mokgosi, 2011–12
- Sana Musasama, 1983–84
- Marilyn Nance, 1993–94
- Jennifer Packer, 2012–13
- Kamau Amu Patton, 2010–11
- Julia Phillips, 2016–17
- Valerie Piraino, 2009–10
- Elliot Reed, 2019–2020
- Tanea Richardson, 2007–08
- Andy Robert, 2016–17
- Jacolby Satterwhite, 2020–2021
- Tschabalala Self, 2018–19
- Paul Mpagi Sepuya, 2010–11
- Xaviera Simmons, 2011–12
- Sable Elyse Smith, 2018–19
- Cullen Washington, Jr., 2012–13
Art Collection
The Studio Museum has a permanent collection of about 2000 artworks. These include drawings, prints, photos, and mixed-media pieces. The collection features art made by artists during their residencies. It also has pieces given to the museum to show the history of artists of African descent.
Some artists in the collection are Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, and Jacob Lawrence. The museum also keeps a large collection of photos by James VanDerZee. He was a famous photographer who took pictures of the Harlem community in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. In 1985, the museum won an award for its amazing collection of Black art.
See also
