Guggenheim Museum

History and Background

The Guggenheim Museum started of as an initiative by the late industrialist Solomon R.Guggenheim who wanted to create an organization that would house one of the most comprehensive collections of modern artists. He was an appreciator of art and initially collected a large number of artifacts by modern painters like Marc Chagall, Paul Klee and Vasily Kandisky. This was back in the 1920’s and 30’s. In this endeavor, he was assisted by his business partner who was later made the curator of his collections. This was the very talented artist the German Hilla Rebay. Many of his works were bought by Guggenheim to be included in his collection.

The collection amassed by Guggenheim was initially installed in his private apartment which was The Plaza Hotel in the 1930’s but a time came when it was felt that the number of works was getting larger for them to have a permanent residence. A building to house the collection was then conceived. It was in 1943, that the architect Frank Lloyd Wright was contacted by Hilla Rebay who was the personal art consultant of Guggenheim. It was the job of the architect to create not just a building but a piece of art in itself. The structure that was finally conceived by the architect excelled all expectations. Considered to be one of the structurally enhanced and uniquely designed building in New York, the Guggenheim Museum has been treated as a masterpiece in itself. The museum is, in fact, a symbol of the architect’s endeavors to invert the conventional architectural designs that were traditionally used. He wanted to discard the old system where visitors had to go through interlinked rooms while traveling through the museum and then while exiting they had to retrace their steps. In the new design that Wright created for the museum the visitors were first transported to the top if the structure and then visit the galleries moving downwards at a gradual pace. The outward structure of the main building is designed like a cup or an inverted terraced hill. The inner galleries were similar to the membranes inside a citrus fruit. Many critics of Wright’s work had stated that the building had an overpowering effect on the visitor and almost overshadowed the art work that it housed.

http://www.guggenheim.org/the_building.html

Address and Admission Timings

The Solomon Guggenheim Museum is located at 1071, 5^th Avenue at the 89^th Street. In order to reach the museum you can take the subway and avail the 4, 5, or 6 trains to the 86^th Street. You have to walk west towards 5^th Avenue and then go towards 88^th Street. You can also take the buses M1, M2, M3 and M4 in order to reach the museum.

Admission Timings:

From Saturday to Wednesday- 10 a.m. to 5: 45 p.m.

On Fridays from 10 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.- The museum is closed on Thursdays.

For further details and information you can call at the number 212-423-3500.

http://www.guggenheim.org/visit_us/getting_there.shtml  

Admission Fees:

For Adults: $ 18

For Students & Seniors $ 15

For members and children under age 12 entry is free.

http://www.guggenheim.org/visit_us/admission.shtml

Membership Fees

For Individual Members $ 75.

For Dual Members $ 125.

For Fellow Associate Membership $ 250.

For Supporting Associate Membership $ 500.

For Family Memberships $ 135.

For membership details please call at the number 212-423-3535 or simply fax your queries to 212-941-0873. You may also renew membership online at the following link:

http://www.guggenheim.org/membership/levels_benefits.shtml

Museum Store:

The museum store has a number of products that include a large collection of books, posters, t-shirts, caps and various other accessories. There are gift items and also a special section for kids. Members can avail of attractive discounts on every purchase.

http://guggenheim.stores.yahoo.net/  

Programs:

There are a number of educational programs for adults and students to choose from. These also include specific programs focused towards families and other tours, lectures and courses that are organized from time to time.

There are a number of educational workshops to choose from that are specially designed for teens, educators, school groups and programs that help to learn through the medium of art. There are also digital workshops that are organized for high school students. There are particular programs that have been designed for young artists in order to develop their artistic skills and provide them the right training that helps them to learn new techniques and evolve a distinctive artistic style of their own.

Gallery talks are held on various subjects. There are also specialized tours and lectures organized by the museum. Special screenings, adult education courses, public programs are also planned for the visitors.