The Rubin Museum of Art opened on October 4, 2004 and is the first museum in the Western World dedicated to the art of the Himalayas and surrounding regions. Their collection consists of paintings, sculptures, and textiles with books, paintings, photographs, and artifacts. Computer terminals accessing the Museum’s website and affiliated sites offer other examples of Himalayan and related art. Although works of art range in date over two millennia, most reflect major periods and schools of Himalayan art from the 12th century onward.

The Museum occupies what was formerly a portion of the Barneys department store in Chelsea. Read about it here at their website. It was redesigned and renovated with a team headed by the architectural firm of Beyer Blinder Belle and included Atelier Imrey Culbert, associate museum designers, and Milton Glaser Incorporated graphics. Many important details within the building have been retained, most notably Andree Putman’s steel and marble staircase that spirals dramatically through the seven-story gallery tower.

The galleries are spacious, and the museum is extremely pleasant and very manageable. They run 6 different exhibitions, one on each floor. The museum includes space for contemporary and historical photography, a classroom, a state-of-the-art theater for multi-media events and performances, and a cafe and shop. Recommended…