Neuberger Museum of Art

The Neuberger Museum of Art is an academic art museum located at the center of the Purchase College campus in Purchase, New York, within Westchester County. Founded in 1969 through a promised gift from collector and philanthropist Roy R. Neuberger, it opened to the public in 1974 in a building designed by architect Philip Johnson. With a collection of nearly 7,000 works spanning modern, contemporary, and African art, the museum ranks among the largest university-affiliated museums in the United States. It functions as an educational and learning center, offering exhibition tours, lectures, and special events throughout the year, and serves as a cultural resource for both the Purchase College community and the broader public.

The museum's collection has grown from its original promised gift to nearly 7,000 objects, encompassing modern, contemporary, and African art. The core of the collection remains the more than 900 works donated by Roy R. Neuberger, which the museum describes as among the finest personal art collections in a public institution in the United States. The collecting philosophy established by Neuberger emphasized acquisition of works by living American artists at the time of their creation, particularly during the early and middle decades of their careers. This approach resulted in a strong concentration of mid-20th-century American modernism. The collection also includes the Hans Richter Collection of Dada Art. The museum continues Neuberger's patronage tradition through the Roy R. Neuberger Prize, a biannual award recognizing exceptional contemporary artists and supporting them early in their careers.

The Neuberger Museum holds significant works by major American modernists. Its holdings include Edward Hopper's Barber Shop (1931), Georgia O'Keeffe's Lake George by Early Moonrise (1930), and Marsden Hartley's Fishermen's Last Supper, Nova Scotia (1940). The collection features important Abstract Expressionist works such as Jackson Pollock's Number 8 (1949), Willem de Kooning's Marilyn Monroe (1954), Mark Rothko's Old Gold Over White (1956), and Lee Krasner's Burning Candles (1955). Other notable pieces include Stuart Davis's work, Arthur Dove's paintings, Helen Frankenthaler's contributions, Hans Hofmann's pieces, and David Smith's sculptures. The museum also holds Alexander Calder's The Red Ear (1957), Mark Tobey's Lyric (1957), Grace Hartigan's Giftwares (1955), Richard Diebenkorn's Girl on a Terrace (1956), John Marin's Sea and Rocks, Mount Desert, Maine (1948), and Adolph Gottlieb's Evil Omen (1946). The breadth of artists represented ranges from Milton Avery, of whom Neuberger acquired over 100 works, to Romare Bearden.

The museum occupies a building designed by architect Philip Johnson, situated at the center of the Purchase College campus. The structure opened in May 1974 as a purpose-built museum facility within the State University of New York system. The building's central campus location integrates the museum into the academic environment of Purchase College. The museum is also recognized as one of 14 sites on the African American Heritage Trail of Westchester County.

The Neuberger Museum of Art is located in Purchase, New York, within Westchester County, on the campus of Purchase College, part of the State University of New York system. As an academic museum, it serves adult visitors, families, school groups, and the students and faculty of Purchase College as a meeting place and educational resource. The museum offers guided tours, lectures, and programs designed to engage diverse communities. Tracy Fitzpatrick became director in November 2014, following previous directors including Paola Morsiani (2012-2014), Thom Collins (2005-2010), Dr. Lucinda Gedeon (1991-2004), Dominique Nahas (1989-1990), Suzanne Delehanty (1978-1988), Jeffrey Hoffeld (1974-1977), and Bryan Robertson (1969-1974). The museum's official website is http://www.neuberger.org/.