Harlem, N.Y. – September 09, 2026 -- Beyoncé has donated $2 million to the Studio Museum in Harlem, timing the gift to coincide with her birthday.
The institution, founded in 1968, is dedicated to artists of African descent and work shaped by Black culture. Beyoncé, a longtime art collector, said the museum introduced her to several of her favorite young Black artists through its exhibits.
Beyoncé says art from the museum reflects shared humanity
"Art tells all our stories; the past and the present, but is not always accessible to everyone," Beyoncé said. She praised the museum's effort to make itself an integral part of the community, calling it a place where diverse storytellers reflect humanity through their work.
Thelma Golden calls the gift vital to the museum's mission
Thelma Golden, Ford Foundation Director and Chief Curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem, thanked Beyoncé for the donation and for recognizing the institution's role in people's lives. Golden said the museum was founded to reshape the arts landscape and determine who it serves, and that the gift will help strengthen that work for audiences in Harlem, New York, and beyond.
The museum's new building opened on West 125th Street in November 2025
The Studio Museum's new home, at its longtime location on West 125th Street, opened to the public on November 15, 2025. Designed by Adjaye Associates with Cooper Robertson as executive architect, it is the first building created specifically for the institution's programs.
The Studio Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with extended hours until 9:00 p.m. on Fridays. Suggested admission is $16 for adults and $9 for seniors, students, and visitors with disabilities, with free entry for children sixteen and under and for everyone on Sundays.