The Metropolitan Museum of Art is set to enhance its prestigious offerings with the addition of the Condé M. Nast Galleries. This announcement was made on Monday and marks a significant development for the museum’s Costume Institute, which is renowned for its high-profile spring exhibitions.
The new gallery, spanning nearly 11,500 square feet, is located off the iconic Great Hall and was previously home to a gift shop. It will be named in honor of Condé Nast, the founder of the renowned publishing company, thanks to a substantial lead donation from the media organization, although the exact amount remains undisclosed.
Anna Wintour, the influential global editorial director of Vogue and a longstanding trustee of the museum, played a pivotal role in fundraising for this project, which carries an estimated budget of over $50 million. Wintour’s involvement underscores the connection between fashion and the arts, as she is also recognized for her leadership during the annual Met Gala, a key event that showcases the intersection of fashion and cultural appreciation.
The establishment of the Condé M. Nast Galleries signifies a significant stride in the museum’s ongoing relationship with fashion, which has been evolving since it integrated the Museum of Costume Art in 1946. By embracing the growing prominence of fashion within contemporary culture, the Met continues to cultivate an environment where creative expression is celebrated. The Costume Institute’s exhibitions and the accompanying Met Gala have historically attracted considerable attention, reaffirming the museum’s role as a central hub for artistic and cultural dialogue.