New York is a vibrant center of the international art world, where art is produced, collected, displayed, and discussed in both private and public places. This course will focus on the social, political, cultural, and economic factors that have contributed to New York?s development as a city of major importance in the art world. Special attention will be given to the history of local art institutions, to New York?s cultural geography, and to the emergence of popular urban culture and public art. Classroom and gallery lectures will be complemented with field trips.