Contemporary Art

Purview

The paintings, sculpture, drawings, and prints in Contemporary Art complement and build on the strength of the Museum’s historical holdings. Most photographic works can be found in the Photography collection.

Contemporary art is not limited to any one region, but the majority of artists represented in our collection are American. You will also find works by 20th- and 21st-century artists in Arts of Africa, Arts of the Americas, Arts of the Islamic World, and Arts of Asia, as well as Feminist Art.

History

The Brooklyn Museum has been committed to supporting living artists since it began collecting art. The first object that the Brooklyn Institute (the Museum’s precursor) acquired, in 1855, was a painting created that same year. The landmark International Exhibition of Modern Art, which was organized by the Société Anonyme and opened in 1926, cemented the institute’s dedication to timely and innovative art.

A separate department of Contemporary Art was established in 1934. In addition to collecting, the department’s curators have been instrumental in organizing numerous exhibitions honoring living artists, including many based here in Brooklyn. The Museum has been fortunate to acquire a selection of the works featured in these shows.

In the 21st century, the Museum has increasingly engaged with artist-activists. One of the most substantial acquisitions came in 2012: a rare collection of 44 artworks representing the Black Arts Movement amassed by art dealers David Lusenhop and Melissa Azzi.

The Brooklyn Museum continues to strive for diversity in its collection of Contemporary Art and to celebrate the artists working today. These efforts acknowledge that art is a vital educational tool and a testament to future generations about our times.