Art Museum
National Academy of Design
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
National Academy of Design is an art museum in Manhattan, United States.
About National Academy of Design
Overview
The National Academy of Design is a professional honorary organization in the United States dedicated to promoting the fine arts through instruction and exhibition. It functions as a body of elected artists and architects who are recognized for their excellence in their respective fields. Membership is limited to 450 American artists and architects, elected by their peers, and members are identified by the post-nominal letters N.A. The organization historically included a school and a museum, though these operations were closed in recent years due to financial restructuring.
History & Founding
The institution was founded in 1825 by a group of students, including Samuel F.B. Morse and Henry Inman, who were dissatisfied with the American Academy of the Fine Arts. Feeling neglected by the American Academy, they initially formed a drawing association. An attempt to reconcile differences by appointing artists as directors of the American Academy failed when four nominees were not elected, prompting the founders to establish a new academy. In 1828, the organization adopted its enduring name, the National Academy of Design. Samuel F.B. Morse served as its first president from 1826 to 1845.
Building & Locations
The Academy has occupied several locations throughout its history. From 1942 until 2019, the institution was housed in a mansion located at 1083 Fifth Avenue in New York City. Following a period of financial hardship beginning in 2015, the Academy closed its museum and art school and sold its New York real estate holdings to create an endowment. The home of the National Academy of Design is currently located at 519 West 26th Street, 2nd Floor, which serves as a space for offices, meetings, events, and exhibitions.
Collection & School
Historically, the Academy maintained a museum and operated a school that was considered the best art education in the country at the time. The teaching staff included numerous prominent artists. The school's reputation was such that it served as the primary alternative for art education in the city, leading to the formation of the Art Students League by students who left in response to rumors of financial instability at the Academy. In 2015, due to financial struggles, the Academy closed both its museum and its school, shifting its focus to its honorary membership and exhibition functions.
Significance & Legacy
The National Academy of Design was organized to increase the respect for painters in the United States and played a pivotal role in the development of American art. It was the only other art school in New York City besides the Art Students League for a significant period. The Academy has been a central institution for American artists, with its members including figures from the Ashcan School and The Eight. Its election of Arthur B. Davies as president marked a shift in its conception, bridging the gap between traditional and more progressive artistic movements.
Plan your visit
National Academy of Design
- Website
- www.nationalacademy.org