Records of the Department of Exhibitions

Although it has not always been called the Department of Exhibitions, there has been some agency to coordinate exhibitions at Pratt Institute since at least 1896. In the early decades of the Institute, exhibitions were held in the gallery of the Library; the Museum displayed its permanent collection, as well as travelling exhibits and one-time showings.

Beginning in the 1960s, exhibitions were frequently held at the Manhattan outposts of Pratt Institute. These satellite campuses have changed addresses several times over the years: 46 Park Avenue until 1974, 160 Lexington Avenue (Pratt-Phoenix School of Design) until the 1980s, 295 Lafayette Street (Puck Building) through the 1990s, and 144 West 14th Street since 2001. Despite the changing addresses, the Manhattan campuses have always been referred to as Pratt Manhattan Center. Many major exhibitions continue to be held at the Pratt Manhattan Center where the Department of Exhibitions is located.

The Institute Galleries on the Pratt Institute campus in Brooklyn have changed buildings more than once. The original galleries in the Main Building were originally called the Institute Galleries, but were renamed the Norman and Rubelle Schafler Galleries in the 1990s. The Schafler Gallery is now located in the Chemistry Building and hosts many of the student exhibitions.

The Department of Exhibitions have hosted events at many other locations, both on and off campus. These locations include Higgins Hall, the Pratt Graphics Center, Steuben Hall, the President’s Gallery (in Main Building), Dekalb Hall, East Hall, ISC building, Terian Design Center, the Decoration and Design Building, the Library, and on campus in general. Moreover, Pratt students and faculty have been involved in exhibitions around the world as part of their curriculum.