Mayor de Blasio announces a $50 million capital investment in the Brooklyn Museum. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.
The art museum has served as a community gathering and support space. On November 22, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a $50 million capital investment in the Brooklyn Museum. The Brooklyn Museum is an art museum located on Eastern Parkway near Prospect Heights.
The investment will help with 40,000 square feet of gallery renovations and infrastructure projects. Permanent gallery space will be dedicated to Brooklyn and its history; there will be significant upgrades to the fourth and fifth floor galleries for European, American, Indigenous and decorative arts. New interiors, climate control systems and energy efficiency upgrades will help modernize the landmarked building and support the care of its collection. After-school programs will also have additional education space.
The Brooklyn Museum has served as a community gathering point in times of need, from the site for civic action, protests and rallies; community support during the pandemic; a polling site during elections; and a food distribution site for New Yorkers facing food insecurity. The Museum has also previously partnered with hospitals to offer programming on mental health and community care.
To learn more about the Brooklyn Museum, click here. For more information about how to visit the museum, click here.
Mayor de Blasio stated, “Art has the power to shape us and bring people together in conversation. The Brooklyn Museum has always exemplified these values, shaping the rich narrative around New York City for residents and visitors alike. As New York City’s rich art and culture institutions emerge from the pandemic, this historic $50 million investment will ensure the Brooklyn Museum remains an iconic destination for generations to come.”
Cultural Affairs Commissioner Gonzalo Casals stated, “The Brooklyn Museum is both a community anchor and an encyclopedic museum that does an amazing job of amplifying the voices of diverse artists from across the ages, and bringing them into conversation with contemporary audiences. As part of the City’s long term commitment to investing in our cultural institutions, this transformative contribution to the Brooklyn Museum will ensure that this historic facility can continue to engage communities across Brooklyn and beyond for generations to come. The pandemic showed us just how critical culture is to the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers, so we are proud to stand alongside Mayor de Blasio for this historic announcement.”
By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the CityLaw fellow and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018.)
All visitors 12 and older must show proof of vaccination and a valid I.D. Masks are required regardless of vaccination status.
General admission is suggested; you may pay what you wish. However, “Special exhibits always have a cost. General admission to the museum is actually ‘suggested contribution’ but this is in the fine print…they certainly make you feel like you should pay.–Lisa C.” . . . “(B)ecause they accept public funding they may only request a ‘suggested donation’ and so one may pay any amount from 0 dollars and up, and they may not refuse to let you enter. . . . –Steven Elliot”
General admission does not include access to any ticketed exhibitions, which the Museum may have to pay for, which require separate tickets. It is recommended to purchase such tickets in advance. A limited number of tickets are reserved for same-day purchase at the Museum each day.
Special exhibit tickets are nonrefundable, but can be exchanged once up to 72 hours prior to the ticket date with no fees by emailing tickets@brooklynmuseum.com or calling 718.501.6484 with your name and newly desired date. Exchange is based on availability.
The Brooklyn Museum is a not-for-profit corporation whose Trustees operate the Museum in a building owned by the City of New York. The People of the City of New York provide major funding for the Museum’s operations through the City’s Department of Cultural Affairs.
“Most direct subway train is the 2/3 train to Brooklyn Museum. You will literally come up the subway steps and face the museum. –Lisa E.”
[Excerpts from readers’ comments.] Both coat and bag check available. There is a gift shop. Some of the items are not expensive, like postcards. There is access for people in wheelchairs.
The museum building itself has a long history of being remodeled and renovated many times in various aspects since its opening.