Bard Graduate Center is devoted to the study of decorative arts, design history, and material culture through research, advanced degrees, exhibitions, publications, and events.

Bard Graduate Center advances the study of decorative arts, design history, and material culture through its object-centered approach to teaching, research, exhibitions, publications, and events.

At BGC, we study the human past and present through their material expressions. We focus on objects and other material forms—from those valued for their aesthetic elements to the ordinary things used in everyday life.

Our accomplished interdisciplinary faculty inspires and prepares students in our MA and PhD programs for successful careers in academia, museums, and the private sector. We bring equal intellectual rigor to our acclaimed exhibitions, award-winning catalogues and scholarly publications, and innovative public programs, and we view all of these integrated elements as vital to our curriculum.

BGC’s campus comprises a state-of-the-art academic programs building at 38 West 86th Street, a gallery at 18 West 86th Street, and a residence hall at 410 West 58th Street. A new collection study center will open at 8 West 86th Street in 2026.

Founded by Dr. Susan Weber in 1993, Bard Graduate Center has become the preeminent institute for academic research and exhibition of decorative arts, design history, and material culture. BGC is an accredited unit of Bard College and a member of the Association of Research Institutes in Art History (ARIAH).

Photo by Fresco Photography.

Beginning this fall, Bard Graduate Center Gallery offers expanded hours to include Tuesdays. The change reflects the institution’s desire to make engaging with its exhibitions accessible to all.

In addition to expanded hours, BGC Gallery

participates in Culture Pass through the New York Public Libraries
offers discounted or free admission to students (K–higher education) and seniors
provides free admission to people with disabilities and their care partners
offers free admission on the first Friday of each month
provides complimentary tickets to anyone whose financial circumstances would prevent them from attending
builds a companion website for each exhibition that allows anyone who cannot visit in person to interact with photographs, video, audio, research texts, and other materials from the exhibition
makes many of its events available for viewing on YouTube
provides large print label text for its exhibitions
schedules verbal description tours for individuals and groups on request
provides ASL interpretation for events by request with at least two weeks’ notice
offers assisted listening devices at its events
is accessible to people using wheelchairs
has wheelchairs on site for visitors’ use
offers portable seating for visitors on every floor of the gallery
gives complimentary admission to staff of other museums and galleries

To order tickets, learn about our facilities, and learn more about any of these offerings, call 212.501.3023 or email gallery@bgc.bard.edu.

The BGC Gallery is open

Tuesdays 11 am–5 pm
Wednesdays 11 am–8 pm
Thursdays 11 am–5 pm
Fridays 11 am–5 pm*
Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am–5 pm
Closed on Mondays

* We offer extended hours and free admission all day on the first Friday of each month.

Friday, October 6, 11 am–8 pm
Friday, November 3, 11 am–8 pm
Friday, December 1, 11 am–8 pm

The BGC Gallery is closed on Thanksgiving Day (November 23) and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (December 24–25).