After a construction span of seven years, the Studio Museum in Harlem will unveil its fresh 82,000 square foot structure in November.
The Studio Museum in Harlem is set to reopen its doors on November 15, 2025, in a brand-new 82,000-square-foot building at 144 West 125th Street. The museum, a pillar of New York's cultural landscape, has been under renovation for several years and is eagerly anticipated by art enthusiasts and the local community.
Laurie Cumbo, Commissioner of Cultural Affairs for the City of New York, expressed her support for The Studio Museum in Harlem, stating that the reopening is an important milestone for the city. She noted that the museum nurtures African diaspora artists and drives global transformation.
Thelma Golden, director of the Ford Foundation and chief curator of The Studio Museum in Harlem, shared her excitement about the reopening. She emphasized the museum's deep roots in the community that created it.
The new building, designed by Adjaye Associates and executive architect Cooper Robertson, is a seven-story space that will house the museum's extensive permanent collection of over 9,000 pieces dating back to 1800.
Regular operation hours for the museum will be from Wednesday to Sunday, with hours from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm on most days. Extended hours until 9:00 pm will be available on Fridays and Saturdays. The museum will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays except for school and group tours by appointment.
Admission to the museum will follow a suggested donation model, with prices ranging from $16 for adults to $9 for seniors, students, and visitors with disabilities. Children under 16 and care partners for visitors with disabilities will have free admission, as will museum members.
Sundays will feature free admission and family-focused programming called Studio Sundays, including workshops, guided tours, and storytimes. The reopening will be celebrated with a free Community Day event on November 15, 2025, from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm, featuring performances, activities, and DJ sets.
The museum's reopening will showcase exhibitions, including a survey dedicated to artist Tom Lloyd, as well as rotating works from its extensive permanent collection. The Studio Museum in Harlem is recognized as one of the best museums and art galleries in New York, and its reopening is sure to be a significant event in the city's cultural calendar.
[1] The Studio Museum in Harlem. (n.d.). Our story. https://www.studiomuseum.org/our-story
[2] The Studio Museum in Harlem. (n.d.). Admission. https://www.studiomuseum.org/visit/admission
[3] The Studio Museum in Harlem. (n.d.). Studio Sundays. https://www.studiomuseum.org/visit/studio-sundays
[4] The Studio Museum in Harlem. (n.d.). Community Day. https://www.studiomuseum.org/visit/community-day
[5] The Studio Museum in Harlem. (n.d.). Tours. https://www.studiomuseum.org/visit/tours
- Despite its focus on African diaspora art and global transformation, The Studio Museum in Harlem, soon to be reopened, also offers a family-friendly experience with Sundays featuring free admission, workshops, guided tours, and storytimes, as stated on their official website (Studio Sundays).
- In order to combat the discomfort of the seasonal New York cold, visitors are encouraged to dress in layers and take regular breaks in the museum's air-conditioned galleries, especially during hot flashes commonly associated with fever (lifestyle, home-and-garden).
