Community Partnerships
The Whitney's Community Partnerships are sustained, extended relationships that bring educators and artists into an organization for extended programming and promote the Museum as an essential resource.
Partner organizations
Performer from the AICH Social at the Whitney Museum of American Art on March 23, 2018. Photo by Filip Wolak
American Indian Community House
PARTNER SINCE 2018
The mission of American Indian Community House (AICH) is to improve and promote the well-being of the American Indian community and to increase the visibility of American Indian cultures in an urban setting in order to cultivate awareness, understanding, and respect. AICH was founded in 1969 by Native American volunteers as a community-based organization, mandated to improve the status of Native Americans and to foster intercultural understanding. In 2018, the Whitney partnered with AICH to host its 2018 Spring Social and offers ongoing opportunities for community members to engage with the Museum.
Particpants from Hamilton-Madison House in the galleries with artist Aliza Nisenbaum. Photograph by Filip Wolak
Hamilton-Madison House
PARTNER SINCE 2017
Hamilton-Madison House is a nonprofit settlement house dedicated to improving the quality of life for its community, which is primarily the Two Bridges/Chinatown area of Manhattan's Lower East Side. Since its establishment in 1898, Hamilton-Madison House has been a part of the settlement house movement in New York City that has pioneered the development and protection of humane policies and programs. The Whitney partners with Hamilton-Madison to provide a multi-session artmaking program for adults who are emerging language learners and currently enrolled in ESOL classes.
Audience members at ALTERNATE ENDINGS, RADICAL BEGINNINGS screening, the 28th annual iteration of Visual AIDS’ Day With(out) Art project, December 1, 2017. Photo by Filip Wolak
Visual Aids
PARTNER SINCE 2016
Founded in 1988, Visual AIDS is the only contemporary arts organization fully committed to raising AIDS awareness and creating dialogue around HIV issues today, by producing and presenting visual art projects, exhibitions, public forums and publications–while assisting artists living with HIV/AIDS. We are committed to preserving and honoring the work of artists with HIV/AIDS and the artistic contributions of the AIDS movement. We embrace diversity and difference in our staff, leadership, artists and audiences. The Whitney partners with Visual AIDS on programs such as Day With(out) Art and Last Address Tribute Walk, and offers ongoing opportunities for artist members to engage with the Museum.
Youth from the Door perform at their summer showcase in the Susan and John Hess Family Theater. Photograph by Andrew Kist
The Door
PARTNER SINCE 2015
The Door's mission is to empower young people to reach their potential by providing comprehensive youth development services in a diverse and caring environment. The Whitney develops collaborative programs that give participants the opportunity to learn, create, perform, and explore the Museum, making connections between their experiences and the Whitney’s art and artists. Our Art As A Second Language program engages out of status immigrant youth at The Door in a supportive bilingual art education environment.
Painting project at Hudson Guild. Photograph by Patrick MacLeod
Hudson Guild
PARTNER SINCE 2011
Hudson Guild is a multi-service community agency serving those who live, work, or go to school in Chelsea, with a focus on those in need. Their mission is to create and sustain a strong, effective community that acknowledges and responds to the potential, achievements and interdependence of its diverse members. The Whitney provides ongoing art education opportunities, from free guided gallery tours for summer camp groups, to multi-week art making courses for adults and seniors.
Westbeth, 2014. Photograph by Filip Wolak
Westbeth
PARTNER SINCE 2011
Opened in 1970 through funding provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the J.M. Kaplan Foundation, Westbeth Artists’ Housing provides affordable living and working spaces for artists and their families. Programs with the Whitney have included a performance and installation by Yorgos Sapountzis involving residents of Westbeth and teens from the Whitney’s Youth Insights program, among others, in conjunction with the opening of Common Spaces, an exhibition curated by the Whitney’s Independent Study Program.
Afterschool program at Fulton Houses, 2014. Photograph by Filip Wolak
Fulton Youth of the Future
PARTNER SINCE 2014
The Robert S. Fulton Houses have provided affordable housing for low-income families and individuals in the Chelsea neighborhood since 1965. The Whitney partners with Fulton Youth of the Future, a grassroots organization that encourages kids to succeed in school and in the job market to reduce reliance on public assistance. Whitney workshops give youth the opportunity to learn about American art and artists and express themselves through hands-on art making in a range of media.
The LGBT Center, 2014. Photograph by Filip Wolak
The LGBT Center
PARTNER SINCE 2010
The LGBT Center provides groundbreaking social service, public policy, educational and cultural/recreational programs for LGBTQ+ youth and a wide range of services to LGBTQ+ immigrants, taking into consideration the unique challenges this community faces. The Whitney’s collaboration with youth at the Center includes multi-session workshops to explore LGBT themes in works in the Whitney’s collection and special exhibitions. The Whitney has also partnered with the Center to host immigrant justice events.
SENIOR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
We partner with community-based senior organizations to create customized programs that challenge seniors to actively engage with the Whitney’s collection and exhibitions, share ideas, and relate what they learn to their own lives and experiences.
Participating Senior Partners
We partner with community-based senior organizations to create customized programs that challenge seniors to actively engage with the Whitney’s collection and exhibitions, share ideas, and relate what they learn to their own lives and experiences.
Programs at your center
Interactive slide-based lectures at senior centers and homes provide a special preview of upcoming exhibitions and a comprehensive learning experience around an array of Whitney-related topics. The Whitney’s Senior Studio Art Programs offer an accessible, collaborative environment in which seniors share in a hands-on process of creative expression.
Programs for homebound populations
Extending the Whitney resources to homebound seniors, the Museum’s Teleconference Courses are offered twice a year through the Meals on Wheels programs of our community partners.