The Brant Foundation Art Study Center in New York is a private art institution founded by collector and publisher Peter Brant, located in the former studio of artist Walter De Maria.
The foundation is dedicated to contemporary art, with Brant’s collection featuring some of the most influential names of the late 20th and 21st centuries. While open to the public, visits are available by appointment only. The first Brant Foundation space opened in 2009 in Greenwich, Connecticut.
History
The New York branch of the Brant Foundation opened in 2019 at 421 East 6th Street. Originally built as a power substation for Consolidated Edison, the building later became the home and studio of Walter De Maria, who lived and worked there from the mid-1980s until his death in 2013.
The transformation of the 16,000-square-foot space into a gallery was led by architect Richard Gluckman of Gluckman Tang Architects, preserving its industrial character while adapting it for large-scale exhibitions.
Peter Brant — Collector and Publisher
Peter Brant made his fortune in the paper industry and as the owner of Brant Publications, publisher of influential titles such as Interview Magazine, Art in America, and Antiques.
Beyond business, Brant is renowned as a major art collector. Since the 1970s, he has assembled an impressive collection including works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, Julian Schnabel, Jeff Koons, and many others. Brant’s close friendship with Warhol, in particular, left a lasting mark on his collection and on the art world at large.
In 1995, the businessman married supermodel Stephanie Seymour, with whom he later had three children. Their relationship is a constant topic for the tabloids.
Collection & Exhibitions
The Brant Foundation holds an outstanding selection of works by Warhol, Basquiat, Koons, Dan Flavin, Glenn Ligon, and Cady Noland, among others. Brant is considered one of the foremost collectors of Basquiat; in 2020, he sold the artist’s Boy and Dog in a Johnnypump (1982) for over $100 million.
The foundation regularly organizes major exhibitions, highlighting both its own collection and new acquisitions. Recent shows have included:
- Basquiat x Warhol
- Andy Warhol: Thirty Are Better Than One
- Mike Kelley: Singles’ Mixer
- Kenny Scharf
- Jordan Wolfson: Female Figure
In addition to exhibitions, the foundation offers educational programs and events, fostering deeper engagement with contemporary art.
Visitor Information
Website: www.brantfoundation.org
📍 Address: 421 East 6th Street, New York, NY 10009
Admission: $22.00
