At a Glance
Time Needed: 60 min.
Ages: All
Allows Food/Drink: No
Luggage Storage: No
2 Lincoln Square, New York, NY 10023 Get Directions
American Folk Art Museum Videos
📣This is your last chance to visit An Ecology of Quilts 🪡🧵 Catch it before it closes this Sunday, March 1! Open all weekend, 11:30 am to 6 pm & always free. ❤️
Experience ‘Pot of Flowers Quilt with Birds’ up close at AFAM! 🌼🪡 ‘An Ecology of Quilts’ is on view through March 1, 2026. We look forward to welcoming you soon! 💖
Calling all birdwatchers! 🐦 It’s your last week to spot these feathered friends in “An Ecology of Quilts.” Visit the Museum before they fly away on March 1. 🕊️ Comment to let us know your favorite quilt bird. AFAM is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11:30 am to 6 pm. Admission is always free.
This Saturday, February 21, Alexandria Eregbu will present Blue Magic, a sonic textile environment, from 11:30 AM to 7 PM, with special activations happening throughout the day. 💙 📅 Schedule 🕛 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm — Invocation & Opening Ceremony 🕓 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm — Artist Talk with Dr. Chelsea Frazier 🕕 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm — Evening Ritual & Closing Performance with FINDING IJEOMA This program is organized by Mathilde Walker-Billaud, AFAM Curator of Programs and Engagement. It was supported, in part, by a Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant.
Award-winning fashion designer Emily Adams Bode Aujla and Dr. Emelie Gevalt, Deborah Davenport and Stewart Stender Deputy Director and Chief Curatorial and Program Officer, met at the American Folk Art Museum to discuss the exhibition, ‘An Ecology of Quilts: The Natural History of American Textiles.’ Their conversation explored quilts as ecological, historical, and cultural documents and considered how historic textiles continue to shape contemporary fashion and evolving ideas of sustainability. 'An Ecology of Quilts' is on view until March 1, 2026. To learn more, visit folkartmuseum.org.
December 2, 2025 Focusing on the environment, the exhibition An Ecology of Quilts: The Natural History of American Textiles highlights the many facets of global material culture that emerged in the early modern period and profoundly shaped the United States in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. In her book Black Bodies, White Gold: Art, Cotton, and Commerce in the Atlantic World (Duke University, 2021), historian Anna Arabindan-Kesson juxtaposes contemporary artworks with historical moments to explore the visual relationship between the cotton trade and the representation of the Black body in American culture. In her forthcoming book, Suitable: The Sartorial Revolution and the Fashioning of Modern Men, designer and historian Chloe Chapin investigates the materiality and manufacture of men’s suits between the American Revolution and the Civil War, including their linen (and then cotton) shirts, tracing material connections to land, labor, and the virtues of whiteness. Using a selection of textiles and quilts on view as a springboard, the two historians will present their research on cotton as material, process, and value, and explore the links between the American textile industry and the construction of identity. Introduced and moderated by Teju Adisa-Farrar, creator and host of the Black Material Geographies podcast, this program offers an opportunity to examine how the materiality, production, and maintenance of cotton-based textiles have historically shaped and symbolized ideas of race, labor, and power in America. About the speakers: Anna Arabindan-Kesson holds the position of Associate Professor of Black Diasporic art with a joint appointment in the Departments of African American Studies and Art and Archaeology at Princeton University. Her work emphasizes histories of race, empire, medicine, and migration from the 18th century to the contemporary. She practiced as a Registered Nurse before completing her PhD in African American Studies and Art History at Yale University. Her prizewinning monograph is called Black Bodies White Gold: Art, Cotton and Commerce in the Atlantic World (Duke University Press, 2021). Her second monograph Empire States of Mind is under contract with Duke University, and the book she edited, Beyond Boundaries: Seeing Art History from the Caribbean will be published this year with Yale University Press. Anna is the director of Art Hx a platform for exploring art and medicine and sits on multiple arts Advisory Boards, in the US and internationally. She holds a Senior Research Fellowship at the Art Gallery of Western Australia, where she curated an exhibition with US-based photographer Sam Contis and has also been a Terra Rome Prize Fellow at the American Academy in Rome. She is now a guest mentor and lecturer in the Arts Intensive Study Program led by artist Wael Shawky for the Fire Station Contemporary Art Space in Doha. Chloe Chapin is a designer, artist and fashion scholar. She holds a PhD in American Studies from Harvard University, and master's degrees in history (Harvard), fashion and textile studies (FIT), and costume design (Yale). As a costume designer for over twenty years, Chloe worked on Broadway musicals, Shakespeare, opera, and downtown experimental dance theater. She has taught courses on fashion history, costume design, gender studies, museum studies, and anthropology at FIT, Parsons, Reed College, and Harvard University. Chloe is a former Fulbright Scholar and has held fellowships at the Smithsonian, Mount Vernon, and Monticello. She works at Harvard University and lives in Cambridge, MA with her dog Tiny. Her first book, Suitable: The Sartorial Revolution and the Fashioning of Modern Men, comes out with Oxford University Press in 2026. Teju Adisa-Farrar is the founder and ecosystems director of the Black Fiber & Textile Network (bftn), a global community for Black people who grow, use, and work with plant-based fibers, textiles, natural dyes, and other sustainable materials. She is the creator and host of the Black Material Geographies Podcast and an environmental designer. A 2025 Craft Archive Fellow with the Center for Craft, Teju has collaborated with institutions such as the Smithsonian’s Cooper Hewitt Museum and the United States Embassy of Botswana, and has spoken at colleges including Princeton University and the Rhode Island School of Design. As an independent researcher, her work explores and honors Black people’s relationships to plant dyes, botanical pigments, natural fibers, and sustainable textiles. She creates opportunities and advocates for Black communities to connect with nature, agricultural art and ecosystems of survival. Teju is currently based on Mvskoke Land (Atlanta) and goes wherever else she is called.
More in The Upper West Side
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American Folk Art Museum News
Currently heading into its 47th Season and its first under the leadership of new Artistic Director Evan Cabnet and Executive Director Adam Siegel, Second Stage Theater has just announced three newly appointed Board Trustees. We have the full list here!
Join Pussy Riot founder Nadya Tolokonnikova at the American Folk Art Museum benefit show in New York. A unique opportunity to experience art and activism combined.
Pompano Beach Arts, in conjunction with FATVillage Arts District, will present the acclaimed works of the late Florida artist Purvis Young. The exhibition entitled The Onliest Thing I Could Mostly Do celebrates the life and work of the renowned self-taught artist.
Discover the lineup, dates, and venues for the Winchendon Music Festival 2023. From classical to jazz and world music, this festival offers a diverse range of performances by international artists. Don't miss this unforgettable musical experience!
A month-long, multi-disciplinary arts celebration created to highlight the borough's culture and creative diversity, Queens Rising brings together the many arts organizations, multi-purpose venues and galleries in Queens to promote and highlight performances, exhibitions, and cultural events, showcasing the borough's artistic and cultural communities.
A month-long, multi-disciplinary arts celebration created to highlight the borough's culture and creative diversity, Queens Rising brings together the many arts organizations, multi-purpose venues and galleries in Queens to promote and highlight performances, exhibitions, and cultural events.
There will be dancing in Rockaway. Poetry will pop up in Ridgewood. They'll hit the high notes in Flushing. An art invasion is headed for Astoria!
The American Folk Art Museum has announced that it will host a benefit concert at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at Adler Hall at The New York Society for Ethical Culture (2 West 64 Street, New York, New York).
FRIGID New York will present a limited engagement of Matt Butler’s Reckless Son on Thursday, June 1 at 7pm at UNDER St. Marks.
The American Folk Art Museum will host a benefit concert on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at Adler Hall at The New York Society for Ethical Culture (2 West 64 Street, New York, New York).
'WE BEAR,' an art exhibit featuring works sourced by the University of Michigan's Prison Creative Arts Project, will make its U.S. debut at the Ann Arbor Art Fair July 21-23.
Shining lights and pop-up delights are heading to the Lincoln Square neighborhood this holiday season as the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District announced its expanded holiday program to celebrate the neighborhood's resiliency and culture comeback.
The Cincinnati Arts Association's Alice F. and Harris K. Weston Art Gallery in the Aronoff Center for the Arts is pleased to announce that it will reopen on Saturday, January 30 with three new exhibitions linked by social, political, and historical investigations.
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with CaringKind to bring extraordinary musical experiences to people with Alzheimer's disease and dementia and their caregivers in Brooklyn and the Bronx. The pilot program, called "With Music in Mind," marks the first time CaringKind's connect2culture program - an initiative that helps cultural organizations develop programs for New York's Alzheimer's community - is bringing performing arts programming into the Bronx and Brooklyn. Formerly known as the Alzheimer's Association, New York City Chapter, CaringKind has been New York City's leading expert on Alzheimer's and dementia caregiving for more than 30 years.
NYC-ARTS, THIRTEEN's weekly arts and culture multi-platform showcase, brings arts lovers an all-access pass to the interesting, unusual and unique cultural offerings of the greater New York City region. New York's five boroughs and the surrounding region offer some of the most renowned cultural institutions in the world. This month the series will spotlight several of those destinations located in Brooklyn.
American Folk Art Museum Frequently Asked Questions
The closest subway stops to the American Folk Art Museum at 2 Lincoln Square in New York City are:
1. 66th Street – Lincoln Center Station: This station is served by the 1 train and is located just a short walk from the museum. Exit the station and head west on West 66th Street towards Broadway. The museum will be on your left.
2. 72nd Street Station: This station is served by the 1, 2, and 3 trains. From the station, you can walk south on Broadway until you reach West 66th Street. Turn right and the museum will be on your left.
I would recommend checking the MTA website for any subway updates or changes in service before your visit. You can find the most up-to-date information on their website: MTA.info.
While you're in the area, you might also want to explore the vibrant Lincoln Square neighborhood. Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is just a stone's throw away, and it's home to some of the world's most renowned performing arts organizations. If you're interested in catching a show, be sure to check out their schedule and see if anything catches your eye.
Additionally, Central Park is within walking distance, so you could take a leisurely stroll through the park before or after your visit to the museum. It's a beautiful oasis in the heart of the city and offers a variety of activities and attractions.
Enjoy your visit to the American Folk Art Museum and have a wonderful time exploring the surrounding area!
The closest bus stops to the American Folk Art Museum at 2 Lincoln Square in New York City are:
1. Broadway/W 65 St - served by the M5, M7, M11, and M104 buses. You can check for updates on these bus routes on the MTA Bus Time website.
2. Columbus Circle - served by various bus routes including the M5, M7, M10, M20, M31, M57, and M104. For real-time bus updates, you can visit the MTA Bus Time website.
Please note that bus routes and schedules are subject to change, so it's always a good idea to check for updates before your visit. Safe travels and enjoy your time at the American Folk Art Museum!
The ideal length of time to plan for a visit to the American Folk Art Museum in New York City can vary depending on your level of interest in folk art and your schedule. However, I would recommend setting aside at least 1 to 2 hours to fully explore the museum and appreciate its unique collection.
The American Folk Art Museum showcases a diverse range of self-taught art, including paintings, sculptures, textiles, and decorative objects. With its thought-provoking exhibitions, it's worth taking the time to immerse yourself in the stories and creativity behind these works.
During your visit, you can also take advantage of the museum's educational programs, guided tours, or special events, which may require additional time. Additionally, don't forget to browse the museum shop, where you can find one-of-a-kind folk art-inspired items to take home as souvenirs.
Remember, this is just a general recommendation, and if you have a particular interest in folk art or want to explore the museum at a leisurely pace, you may want to allocate more time. Ultimately, the choice is yours, and I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time exploring the American Folk Art Museum!
The American Folk Art Museum in New York City does not have a designated food or drink policy. However, it is always best to be respectful of the artwork and the museum environment. While you may not be able to bring food or drinks into the galleries, there are usually designated areas such as cafes or outdoor spaces where you can enjoy refreshments. Additionally, there are plenty of restaurants and cafes in the surrounding area where you can grab a bite to eat before or after your visit.
The American Folk Art Museum in New York City does not have a luggage storage facility on-site. However, there are several options available nearby where you can securely store your belongings while you visit the museum.
One option is to use a luggage storage service such as Vertoe or LuggageHero. These services provide convenient and secure storage locations throughout the city, including near the American Folk Art Museum. You can easily find and book a storage spot through their websites or mobile apps.
Another option is to check if your hotel offers luggage storage for its guests. Many hotels provide this service even if you are not currently staying with them. It's worth contacting your hotel in advance to inquire about their policy.
Lastly, if you are traveling with a larger suitcase or bag, you may want to consider using a luggage storage service at one of the major transportation hubs in the city, such as Penn Station or Grand Central Terminal. These facilities are typically equipped to handle larger items and offer secure storage options.
Remember to plan ahead and check the operating hours and fees of any luggage storage service you choose, as they may vary. This will ensure a smooth and hassle-free visit to the American Folk Art Museum.
Yes, the American Folk Art Museum in New York City is definitely worth a visit for visitors from other countries, as well as non-English language speakers. While English is the primary language used in the museum, the exhibits primarily focus on visual art, which can be appreciated and understood by people of all languages.
The museum showcases a diverse collection of traditional and contemporary folk art, including paintings, sculptures, textiles, and more. The artwork often tells stories and reflects cultural traditions, making it accessible and engaging for visitors of all backgrounds.
Additionally, the museum provides informative labels and descriptions alongside the artwork, which can be helpful for non-English speakers. Furthermore, the museum offers audio guides in multiple languages, allowing visitors to learn more about the exhibits in their preferred language.
Overall, the American Folk Art Museum offers a unique and enriching experience for all visitors, regardless of their language proficiency. It is a wonderful opportunity to explore the rich cultural heritage of folk art and gain a deeper understanding of American history and traditions.
The American Folk Art Museum in New York City is a wonderful destination for visitors of all ages. While there is no specific age range recommended, the museum's exhibits and collections are generally suitable for older children, teenagers, and adults. Younger children may also enjoy the colorful and imaginative artwork on display, but may not fully appreciate the historical and cultural significance of the pieces. Ultimately, it depends on the interests and attention span of your child. The museum offers a variety of programs and activities throughout the year that may cater to different age groups, so be sure to check their website for any upcoming events that might be of interest to your family.
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