Art in General

Art in General established the Eastern European Residency Exchange (EERE) in 2001, with the goal of supporting critical dialogue, the presentation of new work, and a greater understanding of diverse cultures.

In 2018 Rational Dress Society, a counter-fashion collective, were commissioned to create official Art in General uniforms that all members of its staff wore in contemplation of "what cultural work should look like in difficult political times".

Since 1981, Art in General is proud to have supported and shown over 2,000 emerging and mid-career artists and collectives who have gone onto greater success, including Dorothea Rockburne, Joan Jonas, Kay WalkingStick, Rirkrit Tiravanija, Glenn Ligon, Byron Kim, Elizabeth Peyton, Marina Abramović, Gabriel Orozco, Paul Pfeiffer, William Pope.L, Pipilotti Rist, Francis Alÿs, Walid Raad, Sharon Hayes, Patty Chang, Allora & Calzadilla, Pierre Huyghe, Andrea Geyer, Xaviera Simmons, Lisi Raskin, Kambui Olujimi, Carlos Motta, Jill Magid, Marwa Arsanios, Adelita Husni-Bey, Dineo Seshee Bopape, Fatma Bucak, Postcommodity, Duane Linklater, Chim↑Pom, Sondra Perry, Anna Daučíková, Aliza Shvarts, Zach Blas, among many others.

Not unlike the artists it supports, many who curated exhibitions for Art in General as staff members or as guest curators later went on to notable acclaim for their impactful and highly original curatorial work, writing on contemporary artists, and leading of important arts institutions such as Holly Block, Anne Barlow, Sofía Hernández Chong Cuy, Dean Daderko, Eva Diaz, Andria Hickey, Ruba Katrib, Laura Hoptman, Laurel Ptak, Irene Mei Zhi Shum, Franklin Sirmans, Hazma Walker, and others.

In 2006, the sixth-floor gallery underwent a major renovation by Steven Learner Studios and was re-opened in January 2007 with Le Musée Minuscule, created in honor of New Langton Arts’ former space of the same name.

When the business was sold and the building changed ownership, Art in General lost its primary patron, that provided corporate donations as well as rent-free office and exhibition space.

[9][10] In a statement, Board President Leslie Ruff and Executive Director Irene Mei Zhi Shum cited the pressures of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“Although we have taken critical measures to adjust to the new normal, the financial constriction due to COVID-19 has proved formidable, severely affecting our ability to fulfill our mission.” They continued, “In this difficult time for us all, we offer our sincere thanks to you — our alumni artists, guest curators, visitors, former staff and donors — for your passion and dedication, interest and support during the last forty years.”[11][12] The Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, acquired the archive of Art in General.

“It is a tremendous honor to preserve the legacy of one of New York’s most important non-profit institutions,” said Liza Kirwin, interim director, Archives of American Art.

Art in General