Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art

The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art, located at the State University of New York at New Paltz, stands as a major cultural hub in the Hudson Valley. Encompassing more than 9,000 square feet of exhibition space spread across six galleries, the museum offers visitors an immersive experience in art that spans centuries and cultures. Its roots date back over 65 years, when a committed group of faculty members established the College Art Gallery to enrich the university’s teaching mission. In 2001, the transformation into the Dorsky Museum elevated the institution into one of the region’s leading art destinations.

The museum’s permanent collection includes over 6,000 works representing more than 4,000 years of artistic achievement from across the globe. While broad in scope, the collection has notable strengths in American art, especially works connected to the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountain region, 19th-century American prints, photography, and contemporary metals. Its World Collection offers exceptional two- and three-dimensional works from diverse cultures, ranging from classical antiquity to the present day.

Alongside its permanent holdings, the Dorsky Museum is known for an ambitious program of temporary exhibitions. These showcase internationally recognized artists, thought-provoking thematic displays, and projects by regional creators. Annual exhibitions highlight the artistic vitality of the area, while the Hudson Valley Masters Series celebrates the work of acclaimed artists who call the region home.

The museum is deeply tied to its academic setting, integrating art into the intellectual life of the university while also serving the broader community. Through exhibitions, public programs, and educational initiatives, it provides opportunities for engagement, dialogue, and discovery. The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art continues to inspire visitors by presenting art as a living conversation between past and present, local and global, tradition and innovation.