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By Mam & I Editors
Photo Credit: The Met 150th Celebration
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, often referred to as The Met, stands as a premier museum in New York, sharing its esteemed reputation alongside The British Museum, Musée du Louvre, and the Hermitage Museum. Founded in 1870 through the support of businessmen, financiers, prominent artists, and patrons, the museum was established to disseminate art and encourage artistic knowledge among the public. With a history spanning 150 years, The Met houses over 5,000 years of artifacts and more than two million pieces of art. The museum’s vast 200,000 square-foot space hosts educational programs that attract 400,000 participants annually.
Approaching its 150th anniversary, The Met plans a variety of year-long events, showcasing the museum's history from 1870 to 2020. Presented here are some key programs via Mam & I.
Running from March 30 to August 2, 2020, this exhibition highlights over 250 works that have shaped the museum's direction and cultural influence. Visitors can explore pivotal moments of change in The Met's collections, buildings, and vision, providing a unique retrospective of its storied past.
Coinciding with the anniversary, the newly renovated gallery is named the Annie Laurie Aitken and Josephine Mercy Heathcote Galleries. Spanning 11,000 square feet, it displays 700 pieces from British decorative arts, design, and sculpture from 1500 to 1900. Notably, the "Tea, Trade and Empire" exhibit showcases 100 British tea pots, reflecting the wealth during the imperial era.
The Met introduces new donations in celebration of its 150th anniversary. As a museum known for its encyclopedic collection, it welcomes unique works donated by over 100 individuals and institutions. "In Pursuit of Fashion: The Sandy Shreler Collection" is a prominent exhibit featuring 80 out of 165 donated items. It runs from Nov. 27, 2019, to May 17, 2020, and includes some of the most highly valued pieces in US private collections.
On April 13, 2020, The Met will celebrate its 150th anniversary with a ceremony, including cake cutting, attended by officials from New York City and New York State. President and CEO Daniel H. Weiss expressed gratitude to the leaders and artists of 1870 for their visionary efforts. He emphasized that The Met will continue to be a vital cultural space for New Yorkers and global visitors alike, providing an opportunity to reflect on its storied history and future plans.
The Metropolitan Museum operates three locations in New York City: The Met Fifth Avenue, The Met Breuer, and The Met Cloisters, attracting millions of visitors both in-person and online. Constantly striving to bring art to life through exhibitions and events, The Met offers free Korean tours every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at 11 a.m. (except holidays). To celebrate the 150th anniversary, a new Korean curator has been appointed as the head of the Korean Gallery.
