NFT ART GOES PHYSICAL - IRL Galleries and Museums You'll Want to Visit
Real spaces for crypto-enthusiasts, art lovers, and anyone ready to explore the phenomenal potential of digital and blockchain-based artforms.
Physical NFT art galleries and museums bring digital images to intimate spaces that connect artists and visitors. Traditionally, NFT artwork is viewed on a computer or phone. IRL (in real life) exhibits, however, create immersive experiences using projection, digital framing and even sound.
It’s undeniable that technology has and will continue to shape creativity. Be sure to talk with museum and gallery representatives who can offer insight into works on display and recommend additional venues and events highlighting NFT and digital artwork.
The list of galleries and museums below isn’t exclusive, but will get you started on your journey!*
New York, NY
Bright Moments Gallery is open to visitors at 204 Front Street at The Seaport. Bright Moments is governed by the CryptoCitizens DAO (artwork by QianQian) and curates, promotes, and produces physical showcases for digital artists worldwide. Find hours, public events and meetups at www.brightmoments.io.
SuperRare Gallery hosts pop-up exhibits and events in various galleries. Find them at @0x17gallery @TheSeaportNYC, 89 South Street, Pier 17 and follow them at campaigns.superrare.com/seaport.
The Canvas 3.0, located in Oculus at the Westfield World Trade Center, 185 Greenwich St., is a gallery and hub for Web 3.0 experiences. Find exhibits and events at thecanvas.Aglobal/pages/the-canvas-3-0.
Superchief Gallery NFT opened its first IRL NFT gallery in 2021 and occupies various spaces in New York City –find pop-up galleries and events at superchiefgallerynft.com.
bitforms gallery at 131 Allen Street, New York, NY 10002 was founded in 2001 and highlights work of emerging artists engaged with new technologies. Exhibit information is at bitforms.art/info/. bitforms also operates a gallery in San Francisco.
Miami
The Institute of Contemporary Art in Miami at 61 NE 41st Street, while not exclusively an NFT museum, has incorporated NFTs into its permanent collection. Events and information are at icamiami.org.
Charleston, S.C.
Beeple Studios, founded by Mike Winkelmann (a/k/a Beeple), a well-known American digital artist, features working studios, a gallery and an experiential space, and hosts Community Nights (21+) to celebrate digital art and community. Learn more at beeple-studios.xyz.
Chicago, IL
imnotArt Chicago, curates physical and digital NFT exhibitions. Located at 1010 N. Ashland Ave., hours and events can be found at imnotart.com.
Seattle, WA
Seattle NFT Museum (SNFTM) at 2125Â 1st Ave. opened its doors to the public in 2022 in Seattle's Belltown area. The 3,000-square-foot space is divided into three exhibition platforms, each containing 30 rotating displays of NFT artworks by international and local artists. View exhibitions and events at: www.seattlenftmuseum.com.
Los Angeles
Vellum LA, located at 7673 Melrose Ave., was founded in 2021 and focuses on new media and digital art. Learn about educational activities and events at vellumla.com.
Proof Collective has announced the upcoming summer opening of Foundry by PROOF, an IRL space in the Arts District in Downtown LA. Find more information at events.proof.xyz.
Superchief Gallery operates a gallery in Los Angeles at 1965 S Los Angeles St., featuring traditional and NFT artwork. Learn more about L.A. events at superchiefgallery.com.
Paris:
Nft facTory Paris, at 137 rue Saint-Martin, hosts exhibitions and events open to the public. The gallery is dedicated to building an ecosystem that will help France rise to a leadership position in digital art. Information at nftfactoryparis.com.
Galerie IHAM at 46 Bd Henri IV, 75004, hosts exhibitions centered around crypto art. Find hours and events at ihamnft.com.
Centre Pompidou, France’s National Museum of Modern Art with its renowned 20th and 21st century art collections, has acquired digital and blockchain-based artwork as part of its contemporary art collection. More at www.centrepompidou.fr.
NFT artwork is dynamic -- linger and enjoy it. NFT artwork challenges the status quo -- discuss and debate it. And always, be sure to appreciate the artists that are forging new paths of self-expression through emerging technology.
*The above information is taken from websites and social media of listed galleries and museums.