Are you looking for ways to expand your art horizons in the Big Apple? Here are the best free underground art experiences to have in New York City. From free events in renowned art spaces and galleries, to secret clubby performance venues, street art tours, and graffiti art; this culture-rich city is full of incredible experiences for art lovers.
Free Art at Iconic Art Spaces & Galleries
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The Guggenheim Museum
The Guggenheim Museum is one of the most iconic art spaces in New York City. It houses an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art, and offers free admission on Saturdays from 5-7PM. -
The American Folk Art Museum
The American Folk Art Museum is an arts education institution that presents artwork by self-taught and indigenous artists. As well as a regular schedule of exhibitions, the museum also offers artist talks, guided tours, and Sunday Afternoon Conversations, many of which are free.
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The Met Breuer
The Met Breuer is the modern art extension of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Located on Madison Avenue, it features modern and contemporary art from around the world from a range of perspectives and has free entrance every Friday from 10am-1pm. -
The Morgan Library & Museum
The Morgan Library & Museum is a cultural destination in Midtown Manhattan that houses an impressive collection of drawings, manuscripts and books dating back to the 9th century. Every Friday at 7pm the museum shows one of its galleries and holds exhibitions without a fee.
Artistic Performance Venues
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Flamenco Latino
Flamenco Latino is a small club-style theatre located in the East Village and it hosts weekly flamenco performances. They have a student show every Sunday evening, where members of their school show can perform before an audience of peers and friends, often free of charge. -
Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center
The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center is a multi-cultural facility located in the heart of the Lower East Side. It offers a diverse program of music, theatre, film and literature. The center also provides free classes in theatre, music and art, as well as occasional free lectures and exhibitions.
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The Peoples’ Forum
The Peoples’ Forum is a community-focused cultural centre located in Midtown Manhattan. It contains a mixture of events such as live music, theatre, cabaret, and film screenings, many of which are free of charge. -
Bushwick’s Silent Barn
Bushwick’s Silent Barn is an alternative music venue located in Brooklyn. It is a unique space where amateur bands can play and art can be experienced beyond traditional forms in a variety of shows. Silent Barn normally provides free (but donation-based) shows at least twice a week.
Free Street Art Tours
- Brooklyn Street Art Tour
The Brooklyn Street Art Tour allows you to explore the borough’s iconic murals and graffiti. The tour takes you around some of Brooklyn’s most popular neighborhoods including: Bushwick, Dumbo, and Bedford-Stuyvesant. The tour is free and also offers an on-site art market every week.
- Manhattan Street Art Tour
The Manhattan Street Art Tour takes you around the borough’s legendary graffiti murals and landmarks. The tour stops at some of Manhattan’s iconic boroughs such as Chelsea, the Lower East Side, Harlem, and the East Village. The tour is free however participants can make a donation to help fund the artist’s work.
- Graffiti Hall of Fame Tour
The Graffiti Hall of Fame Tour takes you around Harlem and East Village, where the world-renowned Graffiti Hall of Fame is located. It covers the history of the graffiti genre and also offers an introduction to some of the most famous graffiti artists in the city. The tour is free and visitors can make donations to help support the artist’s work.
- Brooklyn Greeters Tour
The Brooklyn Greeters Tour is a free tour of some of Brooklyn’s hippest neighborhoods such as Williamsburg, Park Slope, and Bedford-Stuyvesant. It takes visitors through a variety of art galleries and street murals. The tour is free however donations are welcomed.
New York City is a culture-rich city full of possibilities for art lovers. From free events at renowned art spaces and galleries to secret venues, street art tours and graffiti art; visitors can experience a variety of art in the city for free. With this guide in hand, you are sure to find a truly unforgettable art experience in the Big Apple.
