Dia: Beacon/ Riggio Galleries, the newest branch of the fabled Dia Art Foundation, opened in May 2003 as home to the foundation’s collection of major works from the ‘60s to the present. The museum’s building, a former Nabisco box printing facility, was massively redesigned by artist Robert Irwin prior to opening; it now boasts some 240,000 square feet of gallery space, along with hundreds of skylights that allow the art in some galleries to be viewed in natural light. Irwin also added two seasonally-changing gardens, and planted a fruit tree at every parking space. The museum stands on rolling land on the banks of the Hudson River.
The Dia foundation’s philosophy of single-artist, site-related presentations is reflected in the museum’s layout, wherein several of the galleries were designed specifically for the art it houses. (Andy Warhol’s entire Shadows series occupies one.) The museum also occasionally hosts gallery talks, dance performances, and special exhibit-specific walkthroughs, led by a visiting artist, that are designed to further illuminate the works on display.
– (JM)
Dia: Beacon/Riggio Galleries Information
- Public Transportation: Good (a 6-minute walk from the Metro North Beacon Station)
- Handicapped Accessibility: Good. Wheelchairs are available for visitor use. Reservations are not required. Working assistance and guide animals are permitted
- Hours: January–March (Friday–Monday 11 a.m.–4 p.m.); April–October (Thursday–Monday 11 a.m.–6 p.m.); November–December (Thursday–Monday 11 a.m.–4 p.m.). Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays year-round, and Thursdays in January, February, and March. Also closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day
- Admission: General $10; Students and Seniors (age 65+) $7; Children under 12 and members free. Beacon residents free on weekends. Reduced admission and discounted Metro-North train fare with One-Day Getaway
- Tours: Guided tours are offered every Saturday at 1 p.m. Tours are free with admission. Reservations are not necessary but can be made in person at the admissions desk. A guided tour through Michael Heizer’s North, East, South, West is given at 10:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., before the museum opens on the days of operation. Call museum in advance to reserve
- Group Tours: Guided tours of Dia:Beacon are led by professional art educators. Tours are available during the museum’s open hours and provide a 1hour overview of the galleries. Each lecturer can lead up to 25 guests. Groups of more than 25 guests require an additional lecturer. Tour fees are $100 for groups of 10 to 25 guests; $200 for groups of 26 to 50 guests plus admission ($8 adults; $6 student/senior). Groups including college and university groups are also welcome and can arrange a self guided visit. Free with the cost of admission ($8 adults; $6 student/senior)
- Membership: Individual membership is $50 (Student/Senior/Artist $30; Family $100). Member benefits include one guest pass; invitations to Dia exhibition openings and member events; discounts on all Dia lectures, concerts, and performances, and advance ticketing for select events; a 10% discount on publications and merchandise; a 20% discount on Dia publications; a 10% discount at Dia:Beacon café; and a subscription to Dia’s printed calendar, Dia Member News, and special event announcements.
