Museum of Arts and Design

Overview

The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) is a museum at Columbus Circle dedicated to contemporary craftsmanship across art, design, and jewelry. Housed in a building redesigned by Allied Works Architecture, it occupies a prime position overlooking Central Park.

Highlights

• Craft Focus: Unique among New York museums for its focus on materiality and process — ceramics, glass, fiber, metal, and wood are featured alongside digital fabrication.
• Open Studios: The sixth floor houses working artist studios where visitors can observe artists in residence creating new work.
• The Views: Upper floors offer excellent views of Central Park and the Columbus Circle roundabout.

History

Founded in 1956 as the Museum of Contemporary Crafts, it was renamed in 2002 and moved to its current Columbus Circle location in 2008. The building's exterior was controversially reclad in white glazed terracotta tiles.

Visitor Tips

• Thursday Evenings: Pay-what-you-wish admission from 6–9 PM on Thursdays.
• The Store: The ground-floor museum shop is excellent, selling handmade objects by artists featured in exhibitions.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.