Queens Museum

The Queens Museum is an art museum and educational center located in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, Queens, New York City, United States. Established in 1972, it is situated in the building formerly known as the New York City Pavilion, which was constructed for the 1939 New York World's Fair[1][3].

History

The building served multiple purposes over the years. It was used as the New York City Pavilion during the 1939 World's Fair, showcasing municipal agencies. From 1946 to 1950, it housed the United Nations General Assembly[3]. During the 1940s and 1950s, the southern half of the structure functioned as an ice-skating rink. In 1964, it again served as the New York City Pavilion for the World's Fair, where it featured a room-sized scale model of the five boroughs of New York City, known as the Panorama of the City of New York[1][4].

The museum opened in November 1972 as the Queens County Art and Cultural Center, with its first exhibition featuring 19th Century American Landscape Paintings loaned from the Metropolitan Museum of Art[3]. Initially, the museum shared the building with an operational ice rink, which was later relocated during a major expansion project that concluded in 2013[1].

Collections and Exhibitions

The museum's collection includes a large archive of artifacts from both the 1939 and 1964 World's Fairs and The Neustadt Collection of Tiffany Glass[2]. Exhibitions at the museum range from historical shows to contemporary art and social justice themes. The Panorama remains one of the museum's main attractions, updated periodically to reflect urban development[4].

Mission and Community Engagement

Situated in the most ethnically diverse county in the United States, the Queens Museum emphasizes local relevance with global connections through culture and art. It offers diverse educational and public programs for people of all ages and abilities, aiming to serve as a place of care for its community, staff, and artists[2][5].

Funding and Support

The Queens Museum receives funding in part from public funds through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York State Council on the Arts. Additional support comes from its Board of Trustees and community supporters[5].

Renovations and Expansions

The museum underwent significant expansions and renovations, particularly between 2009 and 2013, adding new exhibition spaces and artist studios[1]. Future expansion plans were announced in the 2020s[1].