The Whitney Biennial
The Whitney Biennial is the longest-running survey of American art, and has been a hallmark of the Museum since 1932. Initiated by the Museum's founder Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney as an invitational exhibition featuring artwork created in the preceding two years, the biennials were originally organized by medium, with painting alternating with sculpture and works on paper. Starting in 1937, the Museum shifted to yearly exhibitions called Annuals. The current format—a survey show of work in all media occurring every two years—has been in place since 1973. More than 3,600 artists have participated in a biennial or annual.
-
1966
Annual Exhibition 1966: Contemporary Sculpture and Prints
Dec 16, 1966–Feb 5, 1967
-
1965
1965 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Painting
Dec 8, 1965–Jan 30, 1966
-
1964
1964 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Sculpture
Dec 9, 1964–Jan 31, 1965
-
1963
Annual Exhibition 1963: Contemporary American Painting
Dec 11, 1963–Feb 2, 1964
-
1962
Annual Exhibition 1962: Contemporary Sculpture and Drawings
Dec 12, 1962–Feb 3, 1963
-
1961
Annual Exhibition 1961: Contemporary American Painting
Dec 13, 1961–Feb 4, 1962
-
1960
Annual Exhibition 1960: Contemporary Sculpture and Drawings
Dec 7, 1960–Jan 22, 1961
-
1959
1959 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Painting
Dec 9, 1959–Jan 31, 1960
-
1958
1958 Annual Exhibition: Sculpture, Paintings, Watercolors, Drawings
Nov 19, 1958–Jan 4, 1959
-
1957
1957 Annual Exhibition: Sculpture, Paintings, Watercolors
Nov 20, 1957–Jan 12, 1958
-
1956
1956 Annual Exhibition: Sculpture, Paintings, Watercolors, Drawings
Nov 14, 1956–Jan 6, 1957
-
1956 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Sculpture, Watercolors and Drawings
Apr 18–June 10, 1956
-
1955
1955 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Painting
Nov 9, 1955–Jan 8, 1956
-
1955 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Paintings, Sculpture, Watercolors and Drawings
Jan 12–Feb 20, 1955
-
1954
1954 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Sculpture, Watercolors and Drawings
Mar 17–Apr 18, 1954
-
1953
1953 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Painting
Oct 15–Dec 6, 1953
-
1953 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Sculpture, Watercolors and Drawings
Apr 9–May 29, 1953
-
1952
1952 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Painting
Nov 6, 1952–Jan 4, 1953
-
1952 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Sculpture, Watercolors and Drawings
Mar 13–May 4, 1952
-
1951
1951 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Painting
Nov 8, 1951–Jan 6, 1952
-
1951 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Sculpture, Watercolors and Drawings
Mar 17–May 6, 1951
-
1950
1950 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Painting
Nov 10–Dec 31, 1950
-
1950 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Sculpture, Watercolors and Drawings
Apr 1–May 28, 1950
-
1949
1949 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Painting
Dec 16, 1949–Feb 5, 1950
-
1949 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Sculpture, Watercolors and Drawings
Apr 2–May 8, 1949
-
1948
1948 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Painting
Nov 13, 1948–Jan 2, 1949
-
1948 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Sculpture, Watercolors and Drawings
Jan 31–Mar 21, 1948
-
1947
1947 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Painting
Dec 6, 1947–Jan 25, 1948
-
1947 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Sculpture, Watercolors and Drawings
Mar 11–Apr 17, 1947
-
1946
1946 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Painting
Dec 10, 1946–Jan 16, 1947
Putting Artists on the Map
The history of the Whitney Biennial is everywhere in NYC and the we've mapped a snapshot. View our map to learn more about historical Biennial moments—from real-life locations depicted in Biennial artworks to Biennial artists' studios.
Bucksbaum Award
Established in 2000 by longtime Whitney trustee Melva Bucksbaum and her family, the Bucksbaum Award is given in each Biennial year in recognition of an artist included in the Biennial. The selected artist is considered by the jurors to have the potential to make a lasting impact on the history of American art, based on the excellence of their past work, as well as of their present work in the Whitney Biennial.