MoMA PS1

MoMA PS1
Name	MoMA PS1
Established	1971
Location	Long Island City, Queens, New York City
Type	Contemporary art museum
Director	Kate Fowle
Publictransit	Court Square–23rd Street

MoMA PS1. It is one of the oldest and largest nonprofit contemporary art institutions in the United States, operating as an affiliate of The Museum of Modern Art. Founded in 1971 by Alanna Heiss as the Institute for Art and Urban Resources, the institution was established to repurpose underutilized buildings across New York City for artistic activity. Its permanent home, a repurposed Romanesque Revival public school building in Long Island City, opened in 1976, giving rise to the name P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center.

History

The institution was founded in 1971 by curator Alanna Heiss as the Institute for Art and Urban Resources, amid a period of fiscal crisis and abundant vacant property in New York City. Its early projects included the "Clocktower Gallery" in Manhattan and exhibitions in a former Long Island City school, a building originally constructed in 1892. After extensive renovations led by architect Frederick Fisher, the school building opened as a full-time exhibition space in 1976, adopting the name P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center. In 2000, the organization formalized a merger with The Museum of Modern Art, becoming an affiliate while maintaining its distinct identity and program in Queens.

Architecture and facilities

The main building is a historic Romanesque Revival structure designed by architect William B. Tubby and completed in 1892 as Public School Number 1. The renovation by Frederick Fisher preserved the building's original architectural character, including its classrooms, stairwells, and vaulted basement, while adapting them for large-scale installations. The campus includes outdoor spaces such as a courtyard, which is transformed annually for the Warm Up summer music series, and additional galleries and project spaces. The physical plant supports ambitious, often site-specific works that utilize the raw, unfinished qualities of the historic building.

Exhibitions and programs

The program is dedicated to presenting the most experimental art from across the globe, with a particular focus on emerging artists and new work. It organizes a diverse array of solo and group exhibitions, such as the influential Greater New York survey, which showcases artists working in the New York City metropolitan area. Major recurring programs include the summer-long Warm Up outdoor music series and the Sunday Sessions performance program. The institution also hosts the annual Young Architects Program competition and fosters artistic experimentation through long-term installations and residency opportunities.

Young Architects Program

The Young Architects Program is an annual competition established in 2000, in which emerging architects are invited to design a temporary outdoor installation for the courtyard. The winning design serves as the architectural centerpiece for the Warm Up music series each summer. Notable past winners include SHoP Architects, WORKac, and Andrés Jaque, whose designs often incorporate sustainable materials and innovative environmental strategies. The program is organized in conjunction with The Museum of Modern Art and provides a high-profile platform for architectural innovation and public engagement.

Relationship with The Museum of Modern Art

Following a merger agreement in 2000, the institution became an affiliate of The Museum of Modern Art, creating a partnership that bridges Manhattan and Queens. The collaboration allows for shared resources, joint programming, and reciprocal membership benefits, while the Queens venue maintains its autonomous curatorial vision and focus on radical experimentation. Collaborative initiatives have included co-organized exhibitions, the joint administration of the Young Architects Program, and the presentation of works from the MoMA collection. This relationship has significantly expanded the institutional footprint and audience for both museums.

Notable artists and exhibitions

The institution has been a pivotal venue for early-career exhibitions of now-celebrated artists, including James Turrell, Sol LeWitt, Richard Serra, and Louise Bourgeois. Its signature exhibition, the quinquennial Greater New York survey, has featured early presentations of work by Kara Walker, Matthew Barney, and Taryn Simon. Other landmark shows have included major installations by Pipilotti Rist, retrospective exhibitions for Mike Kelley and Agnes Martin, and the groundbreaking "WACK! Art and the Feminist Revolution" in 2008. Its programming continues to highlight influential figures in contemporary art such as Pope.L, Mona Hatoum, and Pierre Huyghe.

Category:Art museums in New York City Category:Contemporary art museums in the United States Category:Museums in Queens, New York Category:The Museum of Modern Art