The New Museum.

A leading destination for contemporary art, The New Museum is renowned for its commitment to showcasing new art and new ideas. Located in the vibrant Bowery neighborhood, the museum opened to the public at its current location in 2007.

The New is best loved for presenting the work of under-recognized artists as well as groundbreaking exhibitions, often being the first to exhibit artists who later gain significant recognition. The museum attracts a diverse audience, especially those passionate about contemporary art and emerging artistic trends.

What makes the New Museum even more unique is that it doesn’t have a permanent collection. Rather, all exhibits are displayed on a temporary basis and feature works by contemporary artists that are not commonly seen in other New York City museums.

The New Museum was founded in 1977 by Marcia Tucker, who worked as a curator at the Whitney Museum of American Art and noticed that new art made by living artists was not as appreciated as it should be. Thanks to their emphasis on art from lesser-known artists, visiting the New Museum has become one of the best things to do in the Lower East Side.

The museum’s new building, which looks like boxes stacked on each other, is an exciting architectural feat, too, which gives all the more reason to swing by. It’s also an affordable activity in the Lower East Side since on Thursday nights between 7 – 9 PM, the museum offers pay-what-you-wish admission (but tickets must be booked in advance).