National Academy Museum

At the end of the year, I asked myself «what was the best art show I have seen in New York in 2015?» I voted for the retrospective architecture show for Moshe Safdie at National Academy without any hesitation. To be honest, I think this show beat MoMA’s very dry le corbusier show ten times!
This show for Moshe Safdie was very vivid, with revealing Safdie’s work in all kinds of medias while still in a very organized order. All the models, videos, and sketches were very intriguing and I found I learned a lot after a couple of hours about someone from scratch. The museum designed the whole exhibition with a lot of details. One of the best details probably was how they put Safdie’s quotes on the wall of the swirling stairs. I was reading them while walking on the stairs in a crowd. Everyone was so focused enjoying reading them and moved in an unbeatable unified snail pace at the same time — very enjoyable moment.

The National Academy is a community of artists, art students, museum-​goers, and supporters of the arts. Admission is pay as you wish, and it was a pleasure to support and visit this museum. The museum theme is the history of American art, and I saw some interesting works here. Of note, they offer interesting and affordable classes.

The National Academy Museum (NAM) is one part of the National Academy which also runs an art school in a connected building and was modeled on the Royal Academy, London. The Academy was founded in 1825 and those receiving Academician status were required to donate works, which together with other contributions led to the growth of a substantive collection of American art. The Academy occupied various buildings over the years, including a lost Venetian Gothic Revival palace (1865 – 1899) that once stood on 23^rd St. and what is now Park Ave. South. They moved to their current building, formerly the home of railroad heir Archer Milton Huntington and his wife, sculptor Anne Hyatt Huntington (an Academy member), in 1942.
The relevance of the NAM faded after WWII and its fortunes declined such that in 2008 it was sanctioned by the Association of Art Museum Directors after it sold two major Hudson River School canvases by F.E. Church and S.R. Gifford to pay expenses (sanctions were suspended in 2010). The NAM continues to hold an interesting collection, and in years past and under other directors an effort was always made to have at least one room displaying selections from its own holdings which include major paintings and sculptures by the likes of A.B. Durand, G. Innes, J.Q.A. Ward, W.M. Chase, H.O. Tanner and J. Freilicher.
The NAM has a history of presenting traveling special exhibitions. At this time all of the galleries (spread over three floors of two buildings) are devoted to a special exhibition on contemporary architect Moshe Safdie, effectively turning the NAM into a kunsthalle (or art display space) rather than a museum. Years ago one entered the NAM through a well stocked gift shop, but that too is long gone; there is no food service. There are elevators, but moving between floors of the different buildings can be difficult (or impossible) for those unable to walk steps. There are facilities on the ground floor.

The art in the museum side is fantastic, but the school is horrible. There are only two truly accomplished and talented instructors, and the rest are unenthused and competitive with students. The shows on the school side are mostly old artwork of the instructors and the same 12 students. There are better schools that support their students more and have instructors that actually want to teach and mentor.

Attended the opening of the National Academy Annual Group Exhibit. Artwork is exclusively by National Academicians. Side by side, there is wonderful work by some well known artists with great talent, and far more work by others with mediocre talent at best that belong in an open artist studios show. There is an explanation somewhere, but it escapes me. Still, everyone seemed to be having a good time, and downstairs is lots of additional artwork by students at the National Academy. Now open to the public for I believe «pay what you wish».

After visiting the Met, I walked along Fifth Avenue and noticed this museum. I don’t know how many times I have walked by here and never noticed it. I’m glad I finally took notice.
The museum takes up 3 floors, but it not really big. You can easily walk through it in an hour. You’re basically walking through a townhouse with artwork.
The artwork is by students at the National Academy, so you won’t see anything famous. This also means that you can go here at various times of the year and see totally different artworks. That could be good and bad, I guess.
Today was the last day of «Creative Mischief.» I’m glad I got to see this exhibit before it closed, and I am looking forward to stopping here again.

Not my cup of tea!
National Academy Museum is former house of the Huntington family, just one block from Guggenheim Museum and close to Reservoir.
Was surprised with paintings on the wall!
I like modern design structures on the third floor.
Delightful staircase!

it’s a fairly good museum – my favorite part might be the building itself, which can feel like your own private mansion if you’re alone on the stairs. how you feel about the art will depend upon your taste, but it’s varied enough to have something for everybody. that said, this museum gets very much overshadowed by all of the other, more impressive but equally-​priced ones on fifth. for the price, it could go either way. there’s some interesting stuff, but it’s not a must-​see by any means

This little museum is a hidden gem! I learned about it because recently they held an exhibit of the late 19^th century Swedish artist, Anders Zorn. My painting teacher in CT suggested I check this out when I had a recent trip into New York City. I’m so glad I did! The museum is adjacent to the National Academy school, located on 89^th and Fifth Ave in a beautiful, grand old townhouse, just around the corner from the Guggenheim and the Met. The space lends itself beautifully to displaying paintings and artwork. To reach the upper floors you must take a small elevator. The exhibit I went specifically to see was much larger than I had anticipated for such an intimate, quiet space. There was also a more contemporary painting exhibit on the lower floor. I found the «American Collection», a large permanent exhibit covering the four walls of a large square room, (perhaps where formal balls took place back in the day!) to be very fascinating. Paintings range in size, style, subject and are all randomly hung together. The laminated cards posted in the doorway give a bit of info about each piece. I really enjoyed my visit to the NA-​a hidden gem!

Great Museum, the exhibitions are always intriguing and the location and building are beautiful. Definitely recommended!

I came here during Open House New York and joined part of the Open House NY tour that focused mainly on the architecture of the museum and what it used to look like as a private residence. I don’t think this kind of tour is regularly offered, but the tour guide provided useful information, although it was sometimes slow and tangential. Ticket admission is usually $ 15 for adults with no free hours, which is why I jumped on the chance to get in here for free on OHNY day.
Not much of the original furnishings of Huntington family are left, but the gallery rooms are full of beautiful and well curated art. There are about 4 floors of art from different styles and periods of time. I enjoyed my visit and only wish I had had more time to explore because there was a lot of art. As a casual art observer that can go to the Met for a donation, it was not worth a $ 15 ticket, but I would definitely come back when it’s free.

Beautiful Building. Great location. I guess it depends on what is on view. I felt the current exhibit was unimpressive. The only good piece was Kinstler’s nude from the 1970s.

An intimate museum and truly hidden treasure, where you can see anything from traditional 19^th century paintings to contemporary mavericks like Bill Viola or John Cage. It also includes a cool art school. Next to the Guggenheim and the Jewish Museum. I like it.

It was nice being the only people in here. If you want a quiet museum, this is it! No screaming kids.

Great museum for people who enjoy galleries. they always have new and unique exhibitions which piqué my interest. they also are doing more of a focus on contemporary which is definitely something i enjoy

This is a small professional museum that presents painting by academicians, or elected members of the National Academy. The painting is fairly serious. When I was there on November 12, 2011, there was an exhibition, «Will Barnet at 100,» on the second floor. He painted interesting eyes, I thought. The «American Collection» is on the fourth floor. As I said, it’s serious painting with an eye toward accomplishment. I think you would be most interested in this museum if you are an American fine arts painter. The building seems to be a former home, tastefully designed, and not too ostentatious, but still impractical as a home. It’s on the museum mile between the Guggenheim (which had a long line today) and the Cooper Hewitt. It was not crowded this Saturday. Furthermore, I’m 56, and I was the youngest person there.

This museum (though more gallery-​esque, in my opinion) currently has up an amazing retrospective of George Tooker’s work. For those of you who don’t know who Tooker is, you should. Not only did he work in egg-​tempera, which is admirable, but he did a lot of paintings that called attention to social issues. Great painter— worth the $ 5 admission (with a student i. d… I think it’s $ 10 without). There is also a show called «The Unknown Blakelock» up right now, both this and the Tooker exhibit are up through Jan. 4^th, 2009. Just a skip away from the Met, and not over-​crowded with tourists!

This place has a lot of art. Like around five floors of it. I do believe they have elevators but if you really want a workout, and go through the place quicker, you should climb their semi-​steep stairs.
The work is a combination of student and permanent collection work. If you have time visit, if not, then go to the higher profile museums. It’s not a must visit destination.
Also bring your student id for discount!