MFA Destinations
New York City 2026: An Art Season Immersion | September 23 to 27, 2026
The Experience
New York City transforms into the epicenter of the global art world every September. For this MFA Destination, we have curated a rare, high-access journey that reaches far beyond the standard museum tour. Our program officially commences on the evening of Wednesday, September 23, and concludes on Sunday, September 27, with a selection of optional departure-day activities. This is a chance to step behind the scenes of the most influential art fairs and institutions in the country, guided by the very people who shape our own museum's vision.
Executive Director Klaudio Rodriguez, Deputy Director Darcy Schuller, and Senior Curator of Contemporary Art Katherine Pill, will lead our small group through this immersive experience. We will balance the high-octane energy of the contemporary art season with significant visits to the city's most essential institutional collections. By facilitating direct engagement with these institutions and securing exclusive fair access, we invite you to experience the art world as a true insider.
Highlights of the Immersion
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Curated Fair Access: VIP preview accreditation for The Armory Show; VIP access to Independent 20th Century; and a curator-led visit to the SPRING/BREAK Art Show.
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Institutional Dialogues: Priority access and curator-led walkthroughs at the Whitney Museum of American Art, the New Museum, the Studio Museum in Harlem, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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Gallery & Architectural Focus: Guided explorations of the High Line district and select private gallery viewings.
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Curated Dining & Discussion: Six curated dining engagements (3 lunches/3 dinners), providing a setting for ongoing dialogue and connection among MFA leadership and your fellow patrons.
The Stay
We have selected a premier 4-star hotel in the heart of the city, perfectly situated to serve as an elegant home base for our group. Accommodations encompass a four-night stay, with check-in on Wednesday, September 23, and check-out on Sunday, September 27. We look forward to sharing final logistical details and a complete itinerary with you once your participation is confirmed.
Investment
We have structured this experience to cover your core needs while in the city, allowing you to focus on the art and the conversation.
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Individual Occupancy: $5,700 per person
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Double Occupancy: $4,200 per person
This cost includes hotel accommodations, scheduled group meals, group transportation within the city, and all event and museum access. Please note that airfare to and from New York, airport and hotel transfers, individual meals, and personal incidentals are not included.
Your participation directly supports the exhibitions, educational programming, and vital institutional mission of the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg.
Confirmation & Registration
To ensure an intimate, high-touch experience, participation for this destination is strictly limited to 12 guests. We may have limited spaces available for this trip. Please complete the form for consideration.
To formalize your interest, please complete the Reservation Request Form. Because our highly curated itinerary, private dining engagements, and institutional access are meticulously planned around a precise guest count, we kindly ask that you only submit this form if you have a firm commitment to travel.
New York City 2026 Reservation Request Form
As space is strictly limited to ensure a high-touch, immersive experience, please note that this submission does not constitute a confirmed booking. We will review all requests and confirm your participation within 3-5 business days, at which time full payment will be due. Once the trip is officially confirmed and your payment received, a portion of the payment becomes non-refundable based on non-recoverable prepaid museum and vendor costs. A detailed itinerary will be provided to confirmed participants at a later date.
If you have additional questions, please reach out to our Development Team at development@mfastpete.org.
Terms, Conditions & Requirements
- Registration & Payment: To secure your placement, a reservation request must be completed. Full payment of the program cost is due once a spot is confirmed by our team.
- Trip Confirmation & Itinerary: This program is subject to a minimum number of participants. A final confirmation of the trip’s status will be communicated to registered participants by June 26, 2026. After this date, some spots may still be available. All registered travelers will receive a comprehensive, day-by-day itinerary including confirmed hotel in the coming weeks. While the MFA intends to follow the described program, the itinerary is subject to change to ensure the highest quality experience or to accommodate local conditions.
- Accommodations: While we select premier 4-star properties, please note that bed type and number may not be an option. Access to rooms with multiple beds is extremely limited; the museum will make every effort to accommodate requests but cannot guarantee specific bedding configurations. Selected properties are chosen for their character, proximity to cultural sites, or their central location.
- Baggage & Personal Property: The MFA assumes no liability for loss or damage to baggage.
- Cancellation & Refund Policy: Should the minimum number of participants not be reached, the trip will be canceled and all payments made to the MFA St. Petersburg will be fully refunded. Once the trip is officially confirmed, a portion of the payment becomes non-refundable based on non-recoverable prepaid museum and vendor costs.
- Activity & Mobility Level: This trip involves an active pace across multi-acre fair venues, museums, and outdoor art districts. Participants should be prepared for continuous movement over extended periods and navigating large-scale exhibition spaces. All primary venues are wheelchair and mobility device accessible.
- Conduct & Participation: The MFA reserves the right to remove any participant from the tour whose conduct is deemed incompatible with the interests of the group. In such cases, no refund will be provided.
- Insurance: The MFA St. Petersburg strongly recommends that all travelers purchase comprehensive travel insurance to protect their investment. Travel insurance is not provided by the Museum.
BE A PART OF THE ART
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