MoMA PS1 to Become New York City’s Largest Free Museum in 2026

Portrait of Connie Butler and Sonya Yu. 2025. Courtesy MoMA PS1. Photo: John Kim

Made Possible by Gift from Sonya Yu Celebrating 50th Anniversary

Beginning January 1, 2026, MoMA PS1 will offer free admission to all visitors, removing financial barriers to entry for the next three years. Made possible by a gift from creative entrepreneur Sonya Yu, the expansion of the museum’s free admission for New Yorkers program to all visitors will make PS1 the largest free museum in New York City. This initiative is being launched for MoMA PS1’s 50th anniversary in 2026, offering all visitors free entry to signature programming, including Greater New York, opening on April 16, 2026.

“For fifty years, MoMA PS1 has made the work of living artists relevant and accessible,” said Connie Butler, The Agnes Gund Director. “I am deeply grateful for Sonya Yu’s transformative support, which will make free access to our oasis for contemporary art and culture here in Queens possible for all. Thanks to Sonya’s extraordinary gift, we can invite even more New Yorkers and audiences from across the world to engage with our program.” 

“I have always believed that building authentic creative communities is a powerful force for social change,” said Sonya Yu. “That’s why supporting MoMA PS1 is so important to me. Under Connie Butler’s leadership, PS1’s commitment to authentic community building and expanding access is a shining example of how institutions can build bridges and foster genuine inclusion. As a proud Chinese immigrant and a mother, I’ve seen firsthand how access to art can directly shape imagination and change perspectives. I hope this contribution helps to inspire new generations to see themselves in art and experience its incredible power at PS1.”

Free admission expands the museum’s recent efforts to bolster accessibility, including language access initiatives in English, Spanish, and Chinese; free event tickets for LIC residents; and strengthened community partnerships with local organizations. In addition to Greater New York, visitors will be offered free admission to the entire slate of 50th-anniversary exhibitions and programs.

ABOUT MoMA PS1

MoMA PS1 champions art and artists at the intersection of the social, cultural, and political issues of our time. Providing audiences with the agency to ask questions, access to knowledge, and a forum for public debate, PS1 has offered insight into artists’ diverse worldviews for more than 40 years. Founded in 1976, the institution was a defining force in the alternative space movement in New York City, transforming a nineteenth century public schoolhouse in Long Island City into a site for artistic experimentation and creativity. PS1 has been a member of New York City’s Cultural Institutions Group (CIG) since 1982 and affiliated with The Museum of Modern Art since 2000.

Hours: MoMA PS1 is open from 12 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Sunday, and Monday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Admission: MoMA PS1 is a place for everyone. Beginning January 1, 2026, free admission is made possible by Sonya Yu. Tickets may be reserved online at mo.ma/ps1tickets.

Visitor Guide: Discover even more from MoMA PS1 with the Bloomberg Connects app. Read wall text, hear directly from artists, and uncover the building’s history with this multimedia visitor guide. This digital experience is made possible through the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Directions: MoMA PS1 is located at 22-25 Jackson Avenue at 46th Ave in Long Island City, Queens, across the Queensboro Bridge from midtown Manhattan. Traveling by subway, take the E, M, or 7 to Court Sq; or the G to Court Sq or 21 St Van Alst. By bus, take the Q67 to Jackson and 46th Ave or the B62 to 46th Ave.

Information: For general inquiries, call (718) 784-2084 or visit momaps1.org.