Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum; New York

Committed to innovation, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation is a global arts institution that collects, preserves, and interprets modern and contemporary art. The foundation is defined by its international “constellation” of architecturally and culturally distinct museums, which are themselves masterpieces of radical art and architecture. This is most famously embodied by Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic New York museum, a building that symbolizes the Guggenheim’s mission to explore ideas across cultures through dynamic curatorial and educational initiatives.

The Founding Vision

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation was established in 1937, born from the late-in-life passion for abstract art developed by its founder, Solomon R. Guggenheim. The foundation’s first public venue, the Museum of Non-Objective Painting, opened in New York City in 1939. Under the guidance of Hilla Rebay, the Guggenheim’s first curator and director, this gallery provided many visitors with their first encounter with great works by avant-garde artists like Vasily Kandinsky and his followers.

An Icon of Modern Architecture

As Solomon Guggenheim’s collection grew, the need for a permanent, purpose-built museum became clear. In 1943, the foundation made a bold choice, commissioning the renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright to design a permanent home in New York City. The result was a revolutionary structure, a spiraling concrete icon that broke with all conventions of museum design. The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, itself a monumental work of sculpture, finally opened to the public on October 21, 1959.

A Constellation of Collections and Museums

The Guggenheim’s strength lies in its foundation upon several distinct and visionary collections, shaped by figures who were instrumental in the history of modern art. These include the Dada, Surrealist, and Abstract Expressionist works championed by Peggy Guggenheim; the modern masterpieces collected by Justin Thannhauser; and important avant-garde art promoted by Katherine S. Dreier and Karl Nierendorf. Today, this rich and varied collection is shared across an international network of museums, including the flagship Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection on the Grand Canal in Venice, the Guggenheim Bilbao in Spain, and the future Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.