2 Lincoln Square is ready for its much-anticipated refresh.
The Manhattan-based institution dedicated to folk and self-taught art across time and place recently announced that the museum’s galleries are closed this summer to undertake the most significant renovations at its home on the Upper West Side in more than three decades.
The renovations throughout the museum’s space include a slew of behind-the-scenes upgrades, among them new mechanical and operations systems, as well as expanded and renovated on-site office space for museum staff, remodeled public restrooms, new flooring throughout, and an overhauled and reconfigured shop with new, custom-built display cabinets (designed by Chris Parow) and new wall shelving throughout.
Additionally, the museum is reimagining the existing courtyard located on 66th Street into a functional public space for outdoor gatherings, events, and artistic programming. The exterior facade of the building, including the entryway and signage, will also be redesigned.
Located at 2 Lincoln Square since 1989, the museum and museum shop are actually housed on the ground floor of the Manhattan New York Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the owner of the building. The renovations of the museum and shop have been scheduled during the same time as a larger project being undertaken by the church to renovate the temple. The renovations to the American Folk Art Museum are being generously funded by the Church.
To mark the completion of the first phase of renovations, the museum will reopen in late September with the launch of its fall exhibition, An Ecology of Quilts: The Natural History of American Textiles. Full completion is currently scheduled for spring 2026.
And the timing couldn’t be better: the whole new American Folk Art Museum will reopen in time for its programming celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
