Being in New York City is being at the hub of world-class museums. With over 170 museums showcasing history, fashion, art, and exhibits from around the globe, there is always something to motivate you to explore. And the best part is? As a Teachers College student, you can enjoy free admission to over 30 museums across the city.
How? All you need is your TC ID card with an active semester validation sticker (they are available from Card Services in Whittier Hall, Suite 1B).
Here is a list of museums for you to explore:
Upper Manhattan:
Located in Washington Heights, The Cloisters is a branch of the Met devoted to European medieval art and architecture, especially from the Romanesque and Gothic periods.
Upper East Side:
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The world’s fourth largest and most renowned art museum, the MET presents over 5,000 years of art, from ancient artifacts to modern masterpieces.
A center for cultural, business, and policy exchange that redefines the world’s understanding of Africa and its Diaspora.
The Asian Society Museum promotes understanding and collaboration between Asia and the U.S. through art, culture, education, and international dialogue.
Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI)
CCCADI celebrates the global African Diaspora, promoting cultural equity and social justice through exhibitions, performances, education, and community programs for individuals of all ages.
El Museo celebrates and preserves Puerto Rican and Latin American culture and art in the United States. Through exhibitions, bilingual programs, and festivals, it brings the richness of Caribbean and Latin American culture to diverse audiences and generations to come.
This museum focuses on Jewish culture and history. It presents unique exhibitions, learning programs, and cultural events throughout the year.
Upper West Side:
The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery
Columbia University’s premier visual arts gallery, the Wallach Art Gallery, features student, faculty, and modern artist exhibitions.
This museum is the city’s only museum dedicated to folk and self-taught artists.
Midtown：
MOMA hosts modern and contemporary art ranging from Van Gogh’s The Starry Night to Dorothea Lange’s groundbreaking photograph Migrant Mother.
The Goethe-Institut promotes international cultural exchange and the German language.
Here you can explore classic Intrepid Museum exhibits like the space shuttle Enterprise, the Concorde, and a submarine.
This center offers public programs and access to The Paley Archive with a focus on the cultural and social significance of media.
Lower Manhattan:
International Center of Photography
The International Center of Photography is a leading institute of photography and visual culture. It offers exhibitions, education programs, and public discussion on the power of images.
National Museum of the American Indian
This museum reveals vast histories, cultures, and traditions of Indigenous peoples across the Americas through exhibitions, objects, and storytelling.
Long Island City, Queens:
The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum
Founded and designed by artist Isamu Noguchi, this is dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of his artistic legacy.
As an affiliate of MOMA, MOMA PS1 is a space for experimental and boundary-pushing artwork.
The Socrates Sculpture Park is an open-air museum and public park in Queens that facilitates the production and exhibition of large-scale public art.
Now, it’s time to bring your TC ID, get out into the city, and start exploring the incredible art, history, language, and culture New York has to offer.
By: Ning Ren