Mission:
The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art at the State University of New York at New Paltz (the Dorsky), located at the geographic center of the Snuy New Paltz campus, is one of the largest museums in the SUNY system, with more than 9,000 square feet of exhibition space distributed over six galleries. The Dorsky's permanent collection comprises more than 5,000 works of art, with areas of focus that include American Art, with an emphasis on the Hudson Valley and Catskill Regions, 19th, 20th and 21st century photography and metals. A small but excellent "world collection" of art and artifacts dating back to ancient times and representing diverse cultures enhances the museum's exhibitions and educational programs. Through its collections, exhibitions, and public programs, the Dorsky supports and enriches the academic programs at the college, presents a broad range of world art for study and enjoyment, and serves as a center for Hudson Valley arts and culture.
The museum, which celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2011, is fast gaining recognition as the premier public showplace for exhibition, education, and cultural scholarship about the Hudson Valley region's art and artists from yesterday, today, and the future. The Dorsky's temporary exhibition program includes exhibitions drawn from the museum's collection as well as exhibitions, installations, and projects by nationally and internationally recognized artists. Each summer the Museum sponsors thematic exhibitions of work by Hudson Valley artists, featuring works by artists living in the mid-Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountain regions.
