New construction project comes to fruition: Studio Museum in Harlem unveils its 82,000 square foot building next November, following a seven-year building spree.
The Studio Museum in Harlem is set to make a grand return this year, occupying a seven-story, 82,000-square-foot space that promises to be a vibrant hub for art and culture. The design, a collaboration between Adjaye Associates and Cooper Robertson, is set to blend community engagement with architectural heritage, creating a space that truly reflects Harlem's unique character.
Upon entering the museum, visitors will be greeted by an expansive lobby, leading to state-of-the-art galleries spread across multiple floors. The barrel-vaulted, double-height ceiling gallery is a standout feature, perfect for large-scale works. Flexible program spaces can be adapted for exhibitions and events, while dedicated Education Workshops cater to visitors of all ages.
The Artist-in-Residence program, which was a significant part of the museum's identity, will now have increased space, more than doubling its previous capacity. Indoor and outdoor public spaces have also been expanded by almost 70%. Architectural features, such as façades echoing the masonry-framed windows of Harlem brownstones and a top-lit interior gallery with ample wall space, add to the museum's local charm.
A central staircase offers lookout points, enhancing visitor interaction with art, while a set of glass doors leading to descending steps resembling Harlem’s stoops function as informal benches for watching lectures, performances, films, or simply relaxing.
The museum's permanent collection, consisting of over 9,000 pieces dating back to the 1800s, will be on rotating display. Artworks by artists of African descent, including works by Tom Lloyd, and permanent collection pieces by Romare Bearden, Dawoud Bey, and Jordan Casteel will be featured on the second and fourth floors.
Tom Lloyd's work will once again grace the walls of the museum, as he was the subject of the inaugural exhibition in 1968. The museum remains deeply rooted in the community that created it, a sentiment echoed by Laurie Cumbo, New York City's Commissioner of Cultural Affairs, who referred to the museum's reopening as an important step for the city.
Thelma Golden, director of the Ford Foundation and chief curator of The Studio Museum in Harlem, expressed her excitement about the museum's return. Regular hours will be Wednesdays through Sundays, from 11 am to 6 pm.
The reopening of the Studio Museum in Harlem will be marked by a free community day on November 15, 2025, featuring performances, games, giveaways, and DJ sets. The museum, a pillar of New York City's cultural landscape, nurtures generations of African diasporic artists and drives global transformation.
While it is not explicitly mentioned as being part of the list of best museums and art galleries in New York, the Studio Museum in Harlem holds a significant place within the city's cultural landscape. Visitors are encouraged to experience this unique institution for themselves when it reopens later this year.
Visitors might find a change in their usual museum experience when they visit The Studio Museum in Harlem after its grand return this year, as they navigate through indoor and outdoor public spaces expanded by almost 70%. If they catch a fever while enjoying the artworks, they could rest on the informal benches resembling Harlem’s stoops, located near the set of glass doors leading to descending steps.
