If you’re looking for a good place to start when learning about modern art, you can’t go too far wrong with The Museum of Modern Art in New York. Also known by it’s acronym, MOMA, it is quite possibly the most important modern art venue on the planet. It does not just exhibit modern art however, it has a collection of other contemporary art which is almost as impressive.
MOMA building, New York
The original venue for the museum was a rented space in the Heckscher Building on New York’s Fifth Avenue. John D. Rockefeller’s wife, Abby, and two of her friends, Lillie P. Bliss and Mary Quinn Sullivan were the driving force behind the museum. Bliss was an art collector and modern art fan as was Sullivan. Abby Rockefeller was the philanthropist behind the project as well as an art collector. Rockefeller asked A. Conger Goodyear, a former president of the board of trustees of the Albright Art Gallery in Buffalo to become the new president.
This location first opened its doors to the public on November 7th, 1929, at this point only exhibiting a handful of prints and devoted exclusively to modern art. With the appointment of Alfred H. Barr as curator, MOMA soon began to exhibit loaned art from Europe, including more traditional work from the Old Masters.
John and Abby Rockefeller
International recognition followed as the museum became known more widely although the location changed several times as funding became a problem – John D. Rockfeller was originally unwilling to bankroll the project. When he finally did donate some land for a permanent home, the museum was developed permanently on 53rd Street.
The Museum of Modern Art is now the world’s leading exhibitor and collector of modern art. It is also contains huge archives containing more than a quarter of a million books and periodicals and information on more than 70,000 artists. Any modern arts, visual arts or even contemporary arts fan should visit The Museum of Modern Art at least once, wherever in the world you begin your journey.