The Met - Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, known simply as The Met, is one of the world’s most renowned cultural institutions, offering visitors a journey through over 5,000 years of artistic achievement. With two iconic locations in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters—it welcomes millions of visitors annually, both in person and online.

Founded in 1870, The Met was born from a vision to create a national institution that would make art and art education accessible to the American public. The museum’s first object, a Roman sarcophagus, set the tone for a collection that would grow to encompass works from nearly every culture and period of history. Over time, it has assembled treasures ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts and classical antiquities to European masterpieces, American art, Asian treasures, and modern and contemporary works.

The Fifth Avenue building itself is an architectural landmark, evolving over the decades through expansions that house its vast and varied collections. Notable wings include the Robert Lehman Wing with Old Masters and Impressionist art, the Sackler Wing with the Temple of Dendur, the Michael C. Rockefeller Wing showcasing the arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, and the Lila Acheson Wallace Wing dedicated to modern and contemporary art.

The Met is more than a repository of rare and beautiful objects—it is a dynamic center where art comes alive through exhibitions, educational programs, and cross-cultural dialogue. Visitors can explore iconic paintings, intricate sculptures, arms and armor, costumes, photographs, and decorative arts, all under one roof.

By presenting humanity’s artistic heritage in all its diversity, The Met continues to fulfill its mission: to inspire, educate, and connect people across time and cultures, offering a space where the past and present meet in enduring conversation.