MoMA, Museum of Modern Art

MoMA was founded in the late 1920s as an attempt to challenge the conservative policies of traditional museums, and to establish an institution devoted exclusively to modern art. The intention was to help people understand and enjoy the visual arts of our time, and the public was so enthused with the museum, that it had to move into progressively larger spaces three times over the course of its first ten years. The museum has been housed in its current location in midtown Manhattan since 1939. The rich and varied collection of MoMA constitutes one of the most comprehensive and panoramic views into modern art. From an initial gift of eight prints and one drawing, MoMA's collection has grown to approximately 200,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, media and performance art works, architectural models and drawings, design objects, and films. The museum is committed to sharing the most thought-provoking modern and contemporary art and exploring the art, ideas, and issues of our time.