It gleams on Columbus Circle at 2 Columbus Circle, New York, NY, and simply magnetizes culture-seeking travelers, artists, and art enthusiasts from all over the globe with its impressive collection of contemporary works. The Museum not only stores and showcases craft and art but is also a dynamic space to explore, discover, and most importantly, derive inspiration from.
Revitalizing a discourse around modern-day craftsmanship, MAD was established in 1956 by philanthropist Aileen Osborn Webb as the Museum of Contemporary Crafts and later renamed the American Craft Museum. It occupied its current home, which is a masterpiece in itself, in 2008. The building, originally the Gallery of Modern Art designed by Edward Durell Stone, was dramatically transformed by Brad Cloepfil of Allied Works Architecture to house the Museum's vast assortment of awe-inspiring artistry.
The Museum is renowned for its divergent and expansive collection of 20th and 21st-century art and design that are meticulously crafted from clay, glass, wood, metal, and fiber. These exhibits spring out of the innovative minds of 3000 artists from wide-ranging cultures and periods. Among its most significant pieces is a collection of American studio jewelry, the Nanette L. Laitman Documentation Project for Craft and Decorative Arts in America, a ceramic collection, and stunning works in fiber.
Besides the static exhibits, MAD is also known for its robust public program that includes educational symposia, hands-on art classes, and studio programs for people of all ages. It's a sensory fest at Open Studios, where you can witness artists and designers in residence at work, engage in dialogues, and satiate your curiosity about their craft. Film festivals and performing arts showcases add further colors to the vibrant calendar of events at the Museum.
So, whether you're an artist seeking perspective, an aficionado of design and craft, or simply in search of artistic escapades, the Museum of Arts and Design is a definite must-visit. With an impressive mix of collections, modern art, craftworks, and enriching interactions, MAD is indeed a realm of creativity and innovation where every visit leaves you inspired and enlightened. Step into the world of MAD and let art awaken your senses like never before.
