Best Museum Gift Shops In New York City
Nothing transports you to another world more readily than a museum outing. Glimpses into other eras, locales and perspectives can take you out of yourself and into another realm entirely. Museum gift stores typically have wondrous things for sale, enabling you to extend this experience. Whether your tastes run to wearable art, fascinating artifacts or interesting reads, you can find it in a museum shop. These are some of the best our city has to offer.
Moving Image Store
Museum of the Moving Image
36-01 35th Ave.
New York, NY 11106
(718) 777-6800
www.movingimage.us
Screen aficionados will thrill to the unending selection of books, tapes and cool gift items to be found here. Whether you simply watch them or make them yourself, how-to books on film animation and screen techniques provide fascinating input to the film production process. Edgy and functional this-and-that's include electronic pencil sets and video gaming supplies. Keep your eyes open for book signing events featuring authors like Peter Labuza and Farran Smith Nehme in the store.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store
Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5th Ave.
New York, NY 10028
(212) 535-7710
www.store.metmuseum.org
Tiffany-inspired jewelry and beautiful apparel for her, visually powerful books on religion, art and mythology for him, and stimulating creativity kits for kids of all ages are only the beginning of what you'll find in this multi-faceted shop. A museum unto itself, The Met's store is itemized by gallery offerings, enabling the lucky shopper to peruse items inspired by their favorite artists, sculptors or era. Nowhere are priceless riches made more affordable. Unique gift ideas are available for under $25 and up.
MoMA Design and Book Store
Museum of Modern Art
11 W 53rd St.
New York, NY 10019
(212) 708-9400
www.moma.org
Over 2,000 painstakingly curated book titles, a vast selection of art reproductions and interesting design objects earmark MoMA's flagship store in the museum. The fun continues directly across the street at the MoMA Design Store, where art-influenced, sophisticated jewelry, home décor and personal accessories for sale are housed.
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Brooklyn Museum Shop
Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern Pkwy
Brooklyn, NY 11238
(718) 638-5000
www.brooklynmuseum.org
The Museum's strong focus on ancient Egypt, early Americana and the Impressionists is strongly felt throughout this intimate, relaxing shop. Fine and costume jewelry, both contemporary and classic in design, and an abundance of silk accessories are rivaled by kids' items such as books, stickers and craft kits, able to bring learning alive and brighten room design. Posters, prints and calendars depict current exhibit offerings.
The Rubin Museum Shop
Rubin Museum of Art
150 W 17th St
New York, NY 10011
(212) 620-5000 ext. 350
www.rubinmuseum.org
As is the Museum, the Rubin's gift shop is devoted to the art, culture and eclectic pulse of Himalayan Asia. Handcrafted wares from and inspired by this vast, bio-diverse and magical region are available for purchase. An extensive array of fair trade items includes intricate needlework, unique, hand-crafted jewelry, books and artwork. The complete works of the Rubin Museum are also catalogued and available for sale.
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Corey Whelan is a freelance writer in New York. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.