Harlem's Studio Museum to Reveal Its Unveiling in November
The Studio Museum in Harlem is set to reopen its doors on November 15, 2025, after a seven-year rebuild. The new, 82,000-square-foot building, designed by renowned architect David Adjaye, doubles the museum's space for exhibitions and the Artist-in-Residence program.
Key Features of the New Building
The new building boasts seven floors, with a 70% increase in indoor and outdoor space. It features 14,000 square feet of state-of-the-art exhibition space, a rooftop terrace, flexible program spaces, and a studio/lounge for the Artist-in-Residence program. The Studio Store, offering publications and products by Black-owned businesses, can also be found on the ground floor.
Inaugural Exhibitions and Programming
The reopening will be celebrated with a Community Day on November 15, 2025, featuring a full activation of the building and free admission on Sundays as part of weekly programming. Inaugural exhibitions and programming will include a major survey exhibition dedicated to artist and activist Tom Lloyd, whose work was the museum’s inaugural exhibition in 1968. This will be the first institutional solo show of Lloyd’s work in decades, showcasing electronic sculptures, found-object artworks, and archival materials.
A comprehensive survey of the museum’s permanent collection, featuring artworks by artists of African descent from the 1800s to today, will also be on display. Art installations integrated into public spaces by prominent artists such as David Hammons, Glenn Ligon, and Houston E. Conwill will return to view. Two site-specific commissioned works and multiple new exhibitions celebrating emerging voices and the museum’s legacy will also be featured.
Museum Hours and Admission
The museum’s hours will be Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays until 9:00 pm. Admission is suggested at $16 for adults, $9 for seniors, students, and visitors with disabilities, and free for children 16 and under, with Sunday admission free of charge. Tickets will be available online and on site.
Additional Amenities
The new building adds nearly 70% more indoor and outdoor public areas, including additional outdoor spaces. The ground-floor café will be run by Harlem favourite Settepani.
The reopening of the Studio Museum in Harlem marks a pivotal moment for the institution as a cultural hub for artists of African descent locally, nationally, and internationally. The entire renovation project represents a $175 million investment.
[1] The New York Times
[2] The Art Newspaper
[3] Architectural Digest
[4] The Guardian
[5] Hyperallergic
- After the reopening, visitors can explore the new home-and-garden area of the Studio Museum in Harlem, which includes a rooftop terrace and additional outdoor spaces.
- The artist-in-residence program will have a studio/lounge in the expanded building, offering a tranquil space for artists to further their work and share their lifestyle with guests and fellow artists.
