“You don’t have to be born in America, you don’t have to be an American citizen, you don’t have to have Green Card to be exhibited at the Whitney. It’s all about art, about America,” – a tour guide on the Opening day.

As of May 1, 2015 New York City has a new favorite meeting spot: the new Whitney.

Well, everybody knows what the Whitney is and means: great collection of American art, the museum with a long history, and then this famous move from the conservative Upper East Side to a vibrant Downtown. The art collection, the new building, the location, the visit of the first lady, Michelle Obama, and the inaugural show, “America is Hard to See”, – all this made an Opening of the new Whitney a not-to-miss event. Now the new Whitney is there, open to the public, and everyone will be able to visit it without a rush of the *very first* day. And we guarantee, it will still be an excitement.

The new Whitney embraces everything that the modern audience appreciates: art enthusiasts will find great art, tourists will be happy to take selfies on the multiple terraces and backgrounds of famous artworks, businessmen will bring their guests and partners to the top floor cafe, art haters will enjoy incredible city views and the artistic ambience of the museum.

Again, we all know what the Whitney means. But the new Whitney means more: with its move to the Meatpacking District, with all this vibe and fascinating architecture, the museum – yes, the museum! – can become a favorite meeting spot. It can become a phenomenon if a museum – not a park, bar, or conveniently located monument – can become the most famous meeting place for many. Marketing wise, the Whitney considered it, for sure. Let’s remember that museum visitors are mainly not professional curators, historians, or artists. The goal of a museum is to bring art to a public eye, to give food for thought, educate, and – as a result – make people appreciate art. If a museum becomes the main destination point, it means the society is healthy. If a museum becomes the most fashionable attraction, it means the people become more cultured. And if a museum becomes the most instagrammable object, it means that it really does something right 🙂

Whitney Museum of American Art: 99 Gansevoort Street (between Tenth Ave & Washington St), Meatpacking District, (212) 570-3600.