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Metropolitan Museum of Art Celebrates 150th Anniversary in 2020

institutional · 2026-04-27

On April 13, 2020, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York commemorates its 150th anniversary with a series of exhibitions and events throughout the year. Established in 1870, the museum boasts a collection of tens of thousands of artifacts that span 5,000 years, located across The Met Fifth Avenue, The Met Breuer, and The Met Cloisters. Following financial difficulties, including a $10 million deficit in 2016, Thomas P. Campbell stepped down as director in 2017. In 2018, under Daniel H. Weiss, a $25 admission fee for visitors from outside New York was implemented. Max Hollein took over as director in April 2018, and by spring 2019, the museum achieved a balanced budget. Notable events include "Making The Met, 1870–2020" (March 30–August 2, 2020) and the opening of the Annie Laurie Aitken and Josephine Mercy Heathcote Galleries on March 2, 2020.

Key facts

  • Metropolitan Museum of Art celebrates 150th anniversary on April 13, 2020.
  • Founded in 1870 by businessmen, financiers, artists, and thinkers.
  • Museum holds tens of thousands of objects spanning 5,000 years across three sites: The Met Fifth Avenue, The Met Breuer, and The Met Cloisters.
  • Deficit rose from $3.5 million (2014) to $10 million (2016); Thomas P. Campbell resigned in 2017.
  • Pay-as-you-wish policy ended for non-New York residents; $25 admission fee introduced in 2018.
  • Max Hollein appointed director in April 2018; balanced budget reported in spring 2019.
  • Exhibition 'Making The Met, 1870–2020' runs March 30–August 2, 2020.
  • Annie Laurie Aitken and Josephine Mercy Heathcote Galleries open March 2, 2020, with nearly 700 British works and a 'Tea, Trade, and Empire' section featuring 100 English teapots.
  • Hundreds of donated works from over 100 collectors to be displayed across all three venues.
  • Public invited to share stories via #MyMetStory.

Entities

Institutions

  • Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • The Met Fifth Avenue
  • The Met Breuer
  • The Met Cloisters
  • Artribune

Locations

  • New York
  • United States

Sources