Art Excursions, Inc.

TOUR VENUES AND FEATURED SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS

A pre-opening private tour of The Neue Galerie’s 25th Anniversary special exhibition, featuring “The Woman in Gold”

Co-founded by Ronald Lauder and art dealer Serge Sabarsky, the Neue Galerie opened in November 2001 in a gorgeous building on Fifth Avenue. This fall -- fresh off a complete summer restoration campaign -- the museum celebrates its 25th anniversary with a special exhibition showcasing one of the world’s most important collections of 20th century German and Austrian art. Klimt's first portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer (made famous in the "Woman in Gold" film) will hold court over a gathering of outstanding collection of other masterpieces by him and also by his contemporaries, including Paul Klee, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Oskar Kokoschka, Josef Hoffmann, Koloman Moser, Gabriele Munter, and many others. We will enjoy a private guided tour before the museum opens to the public. (Both images above are from neuegalerie.org.)

The special exhibition: “Krasner and Pollock: Past Continuous”

In a landmark exhibition, The Met Museum will delve into the story of one of art history’s most famous artistic couples -- Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner. Whereas both artists have been the subject of numerous monographic exhibitions around the globe, this show explores their work together in unprecedented breadth and scope. Through an installation of more than one hundred works of art, the exhibition galleries will tell the story of two different personalities and two different artistic paths that came together within the vortex of the Abstract Expressionism movement in New York City. (Image above from metmuseum.org.)

The Frick Collection -- Expanded and Restored -- and the special exhibition “Siena: The Art of Bronze, 1450-1500”

Just last year, the Frick Mansion reopened after a 5-year renovation and expansion project. Museum visitors can now experience Henry Clay Frick’s 1914 mansion fully restored, including first-ever access to the second floor and the restored “Boucher room” offering views of Fifth Avenue and Central Park and a new installation of Rococo furniture and Sèvres porcelain. The expansion also made available 25 percent more gallery space for the outstanding permanent collection and created new special exhibition galleries. As a result, works from the Frick’s own collection will no longer have to be put into storage to accommodate special exhibitions of objects on loan from other institutions. (Image above from frick.org.)

The special exhibition: Brancusi - The Artist and His Studio

Famous for works such as “Bird in Space,” “Mlle Pogany,” and “The Newborn,” Brancusi stands out as one of the greatest sculptors of the 20th century. This exhibition gathers together rarely-lent sculptures, furniture and pedestals carved or modeled by Brancusi as well as his lesser-known work in film and photography. At the same time, the show will explore how the artist conceived of and developed his own studio space into a total work of art in and of itself. “Wanting to preserve the unity of the studio, Brancusi bequeathed its entire contents to France in 1957, transforming a home, workshop, and exhibition site into an enduring monument” (from the MoMA’s exhibition site). As a result of a major renovation project being carried out by the Centre Pompidou, we’re able to see in New York some of the best components of the artist’s gift to The French Republic. Enjoy a pre-opening tour of this special exhibition PLUS highlights of the MoMA’s permanent collection. (Photograph of Brancusi in his studio from moma.org.)

The Met Costume Institute’s inaugural exhibition in the NEW Conde M. Nast Galleries for Costume Art

We are thrilled to announce that this year’s NYC tour coincides with the Costume Institute’s first-ever show in the brand new Conde M. Nast Galleries for Costume Art. Prominently located in a 12,000 square foot space just off the Great Hall, five new galleries put the art of fashion literally at the forefront of the museum’s collection.

Centered around the human figure (draped or not), the inaugural exhibition explores connections between fashionable garments and painting, sculpture, and decorative arts from antiquity through the present day. Truly a 21st century conception, the show includes garments (and complimentary custom-designed mannequins) made not only for the idealized and youthful body types historically favored by the fashion industry, but also for senior adults, the disabled, expectant mothers, and other wearers. (Image above from metmuseum.org.)

The special exhibition: “Siena: The Art of Bronze, 1450-1500” (sponsored by LV)

During our the timeframe of our tour The Frick will host the traveling exhibition “Siena: The Art of Bronze, 1450-1500” which includes artworks by Donatello and several of his contemporaries shown outside Tuscany for the first time. The exhibition is the flagship presentation of a new partnership between The Frick and Louis Vuitton with the fashion house serving as lead sponsor. (Image above from frick.org.)

The special exhibition: “Rembrandt’s Lions: Art and Exile in the Dutch Republic”

This show at The Morgan explores the use of lions in works by Rembrandt. Unlike the vast majority of artists active in the Dutch Republic of the 17th century, Rembrandt explored the themes of mythology, history and The Bible while simultaneously making an excellent living as a portraitist. This variety of subject matter challenged him to develop his anatomical knowledge of humans and animals, including -- most notably for this exhibition -- the lion. Rembrandt took up these themes not only in painting, but also in drawing and printmaking (as in the etching “St. Jerome Reading in an Italian Landscape,” a detail of which is pictured above). (Image from themorgan.org.)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Over more than 150 years, The Met has evolved into arguably the world’s most comprehensive art museum with top-shelf collections in nearly every art historical period and special exhibits that often travel nowhere else. An art lover could happily spend a lifetime inside this museum. Where else can you find an ancient Egyptian temple displayed inside a museum?

Enjoy extended time to explore The Met's legendary holdings and get special insights about museum highlights on a private tour led by art historian Jeff Mishur (named as a top art guide by The Wall Street Journal). (Image above from metmuseum.org.)

The Cloisters: Art, architecture and gardens above the Hudson

Located on a stunning site above the Hudson River, The Cloisters offers an experience of Medieval and Renaissance art, architecture, gardens and culture unlike any other place in the world. Endowed by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., The Cloisters preserves medieval enclosed courtyards (pictured above), stained glass windows, and architectural elements rescued from ruin in countrysides across Europe. Rockefeller also bought and donated several hundred acres of the New Jersey Palisades to the State of New Jersey on the other side of the Hudson to preserve the view from the museum.

Its galleries feature outstanding sculptures, paintings, tapestries, manuscripts and decorative arts including Campin’s Annunciation Triptych, an ivory cross from Bury St. Edmonds (made famous in the book King of the Confessors), and The Unicorn Tapestries. Enjoy a private guided tour of the galleries. (Photo by Jose Olivares from Wikimedia.)

A pre-opening private tour at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

MoMA presents one of the world's best collections of late nineteenth and twentieth century art and design. Its legendary collections include such pillars of Modernism as Van Gogh's Starry Night (above), Picasso's Ladies of Avignon, Dali's Persistence of Memory, Wyeth's Christina's World, Chagall's I and the Village, Matisse’s The Red Studio, and hundreds of other icons of our material culture.

A reimagined and expanded MoMA opened in late 2019. From artist commissions to new spaces for performance, art making, and conversation, every corner of the museum has been brought to life. Most exciting of all is walking into the galleries and seeing the collection as it has never been seen before, with more art by more artists from more places in the world than MoMA has ever been able to show.

We will enter the MoMA an hour before it opens to the public for an intimate guided tour of museum highlights and the Brancusi exhibition followed by free time to explore the collections and special exhibits further. (Detail of “Starry Night” (1889) by Vincent van Gogh from moma.org.)

The Morgan Library and Museum

Founded to house the extraordinary collections of J.P. Morgan, the Morgan Library and Museum features world class illuminated manuscripts, furniture, decorative arts, drawings, prints, and rare books. The museum also exhibits paintings and works in other media by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Gauguin, Cezanne, Gainsborough, Turner, Degas, and Rembrandt. The campus includes a Beaux Arts building completed in 1907 as well as a 2006 addition designed by Renzo Piano.  We’ll enjoy a private tour of collection highlights. (Image above from themorgan.org.)

A Welcome Reception with Live Music at The Morgan Library and Museum

We are proud to feature on this tour our signature private reception at an NYC museum venue. Take in stunning views while noshing on hearty canapés and sipping wine and non-alcoholic beverages. Jeff Mishur hosts this perfect beginning to our tour. (Image above from themorgan.org.)

Tour study leader and host -- Art historian Jeff Mishur

Art historian Jeff Mishur, co-owner of Art Excursions, hosts this tour. In a recent article about “Top Private Art Guides,” The Wall Street Journal referred to Jeff as an expert armed with an advanced degree and “equipped to give the most veteran aesthete the thrill of a new perspective.“

Jeff is a sought-after guide for private tours of architecture, public sculpture and museum collections. He is also a very popular lecturer on art and architecture. On this New York tour, Jeff will be leading private tours at multiple venues.

Accommodations in Midtown

Art Excursions understands that our choice of accommodations contributes to the overall experience of the boutique tours we design and lead. Consequently, our clients have come to expect a high standard of hotel as well as a location that is ideal for walking to shops, galleries, museums, restaurants, theaters and concert venues.

In New York City we have selected a four-star property in Midtown within walking distance to Times Square, Fifth Avenue shopping, Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall among other locations.

TOUR INCLUDES

1. ‣Four star accommodations in midtown Manhattan for three nights
   

2. ‣Admissions and private tours as highlighted above
   

3. ‣A before-hours private group tour at the MoMA and another at Neue Galerie
   

4. ‣Tour hosting, commentaries and handouts provided by Art Excursions
   

5. ‣Welcome reception at The Morgan with wine and heavy hors d’oeuvres
   

6. ‣Lunch daily
   

7. ‣Transportation to and from all itinerary elements not within walking distance
   

8. ‣Independent time to take in what you like at each event on the itinerary
   

9. ‣Motor coach and van driver gratuities
   

10. ‣The opportunity to add extra pre or post-tour nights at a special rate with the destination fee waived.
    

TOUR OPTIONS

1. ‣Hotel breakfast vouchers are available at an additional cost. Details to be provided in the confirmation letter sent to registered tour participants.
   

TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE

Gratuities for hotel bellman and housekeeping staff; incidentals at hotel; costs for meals except as specified above; airfare and airport transfers. A gratuity for your Tour Director is at your discretion.

AIRFARE

We can book airfare on your behalf if you prefer not to make your own arrangements.  We do charge a $45 per ticket booking fee for this service.

TOUR PRICING - The amounts below reflect advance pricing and are valid for registrations and deposits received by July 31, 2026. After this date, prices are subject to change.

$2,550 per person for two persons in a room with one king bed OR two double beds

$2,975 single occupancy in a room with one king bed

A NOTE ABOUT BOOKING FLIGHTS

We understand that some clients may wish to check airfares before even registering for a tour. We wish to offer a reminder that airfares fluctuate daily. Fare prices are driven by sale periods that are announced periodically by a given carrier and then matched by other carriers.

TRAVELING AS A SINGLE?

Our boutique tours are ideal for single travelers, singles traveling together, or couples. We typically have a mix of these types of travelers. If you wish to know why we charge a single supplement or have any other questions, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or email us.

TOUR RESERVATIONS

Group size is limited. Reservations accepted first-come, first-served. For more details please email artexcursions@yahoo.com or call 630/671-9745.

READY TO SIGN UP?

Great! Just email us at ae-news@artexcursions.com or artexcursions@yahoo.com and we’ll follow up with a tour application. Our phone number is 630.671.9745