When Did the Museum of Art and Design Open?

Art|Art Museum

The Museum of Art and Design (MAD) opened its first exhibition space in the summer of 1956. It was located in what is now known as the historic Westbeth Artists’ Community, a former industrial complex in New York City’s Greenwich Village. The museum was founded by Aileen Osborne, an art lover and philanthropist who believed art and design should be accessible to everyone.

The museum was originally called the Museum of Contemporary Crafts, with the philosophy that art should be rooted in everyday life and made accessible to the public. The museum’s mission was to bring together craftsmanship, fine art and design, challenging traditional notions of what art should be.

In 1984, the museum moved from Westbeth to its current location, 2 Columbus Circle on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. In 2008, it underwent a major renovation and was renamed MAD – Museum of Arts and Design – to reflect its wider scope of exhibition programming from craft-based works to interactive installations by established artists such as Nick Cave and Mary Miss.

Today, MAD continues to provide access to art through its permanent collection which includes over 10,000 objects ranging from jewelry and furniture to paintings and sculptures. It hosts a wide range of educational programs for all ages such as workshops, lectures and performances that explore the intersection between creativity, technology and innovation. Additionally, MAD hosts one of the most popular annual events in New York City: The MAD Ball – a fusion of fashion shows featuring cutting-edge designs from local artists as well as live music performances by some of today’s most popular musicians.

Conclusion: Since it first opened its doors in 1956 at Westbeth Artists’ Community in Greenwich Village, New York City’s Museum of Art & Design has been dedicated to making art accessible to everyone through exhibitions challenging traditional notions of what art can be. Today it is located at 2 Columbus Circle on Manhattan’s Upper West Side where it continues to explore creativity through its permanent collection consisting of over 10,000 objects ranging from jewelry and furniture to paintings and sculptures.