EDWARD HOPPER HOUSE MUSEUM AND STUDY CEN TER

Museum:Headquartered at the Hopper House (listed on the National Register of Historic Places), theOrganization is a memberof Historic Artists Home and Studios, the National Trust for Historic Preservation's prestigious coalition of museums that were homes and working studios of American artists. Inside the 2,500-sq. ft historic house are two floors of curated spaces dedicated to rotating displays of early Hopper artwork and artifacts about his family life as well as changing exhibitions of work by Edward Hopper or his wife Josephine Nivison and/or well-known contemporary artists inspired by Hoppers legacy. Upstairs is Edwards bedroom-studio with original and period furnishings and marked by the light that became a hallmark of his mature work. The adjacent hallway features small displays of rotating Hopper artworks and artifacts from the collection and lent by private collectors. The Organization is an important cultural and educational resource for Hudson Valley and tri-state area, and is a growing destination for tourists, artists, educators, students, adults, and families. As of 2023, it is open to the public 260 days a year and today draws over 9,000 a year, including visitors from 27 countries and 36 states. Since 2021 visitation has surged 445%, and in 2024 experienced increases of 25% over the prior year. Accessibility at the site is important too and an outdoor ADA ramp (2020) provides access to the porch and first floor, along with an ADA ground floor restroom (2021).Youth Arts Education Program:The Museum serves K-12 students from the tri-state metropolitan area through fields trips, after school programs and professional development days for educators. It engages local students in interdisciplinary, multi-media fine arts projects focused on the recurrent themes, distinctive aesthetics, and defining aspects of Edward Hopper's work. A keystone education initiative is the Nighthawks Teen Leadership Program, founded in 2017 and named after one of Hoppers most iconic paintings. Museum educators mentor teens from Rockland County high schools, developing their skills to become tour guides, workshop leaders, and general ambassadors of the Museum. The Nighthawks are given the unique chance to interpret Edward Hoppers experience in Nyack as a young artist, reflecting on how his journey might connect to their own life stories. The Nighthawks not only go on to serve as junior docents at the Edward Hopper House, but they also attend trips to other cultural art organizations and participate in college prep activities, positioning them to make conscious choices as they move towards young adulthood.Public programs:Among the strategic goals is to provide and expand public access to the Hopper House, the museums slate of educational offerings and important collections and archives, while demonstrating its dedication to engaging the community in the arts and serving as a resource for scholars and artists. Lectures, special events, and walking tours of Hoppers Nyack for adults and families take place throughout the year. For forty five years, the Organization has also presented Jazz in the Garden on Thursday evenings in July and August. This series has brought nationally known Grammy award-winning musicians to our community for exciting and affordable live performances. The series, a core public program, draws a large and diverse audience from near and far.Exhibitions:Exhibitions align with the mission and are dedicated to changing exhibitions of work by Edward Hopper or his wife Josephine Nivison Hopper and or contemporary artists whose work relates to or springboards from Hopper and his legacy. As the sole keepers of both Edward Hoppers family home, and recently acquired archival materials (objects, legal documents, and memorabilia, notebooks, diaries, and letters belonging to members of the immediate Hopper family, including Edward Hopper and his only sibling Marion), the Organization is acutely aware of the role as caretakers of these unique resources. It launched Phase 1 (2021/22) of a stewardship project to address the collection needs of the Sanborn-Hopper Family Archive; the result included digitization and prioritized treatment plans. Phase 2 (2022/23) encompassed conservation treatment and housing for items identified as fragile and in need of stabilization This project is strengthening the Museum ability to serve its public by advancing the management, care, access, display, and uses of their collections through conservation treatment. The current collection stewardship project includes conservation and presentation of watercolors by Josephine Nivison Hopper.