Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America

58 Park Ave
Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America is the leading center for Nordic culture in the United States, offers a wide range of programs that illuminate the culture and vitality of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Scandinavia Hous... more

Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America is the leading center for Nordic culture in the United States, offers a wide range of programs that illuminate the culture and vitality of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Scandinavia House offerings include diverse exhibitions and film series, as well as concerts and other performances, readings, lectures, symposia, language courses, and children’s activities.

Designed by the internationally renowned Polshek Partnership Architects (now Ennead Architects) and inaugurated in October 2000, Scandinavia House is the headquarters of The American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) and the site of ASF’s cultural and educational programming.


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Murray Hill Description

Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America is located in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan. Murray Hill, along with Turtle Bay and Kips Bay, lies in the vast stretch of Manhattan's East Side, between the rabble and riot of Alphabet City and the East Village and the luxuriant old money of the Upper East Side. Sedate and low-key, the neighborhood is largely home to modern residences and, middling rents, and a mash-up of long-time locals and the recently graduated, MBA set, who gladly trade in hipness points for being able to say they can afford to live in Manhattan. That is, until the Second Avenue subway opens up and Murray Hill joins the rest of the island's rent brackets. What is essentially Midtown East East stretches from Fifth Avenue to the East River (some say Third Avenue, but what do they know), and from 40th Street to 34th Street. It is bounded by Turtle Bay to the north, Kips Bay to the south, and Midtown to the west. With Grand Central Station at its northwestern corner and the Queens Midtown Tunnel on the east, pedestrian and traffic congestion in the neighborhood is high, especially when the United Nations in session, causing a never-ending headache for residents who cherish the ever-shrinking calm of its quieter streets. Two of New York City's most iconic pieces of architecture stand at the corner of the neighborhood— Grand Central Terminal and the Chrysler Building, both of which are fine examples of Beaux Arts and Art Deco, respectively. Grand Central, while not a part of the storied and gorgeous trail of Pennsylvania Railroad stations—that would be Penn Station's sole claim in NYC—is still one of the most impressive railroad terminuses in America, and rivals even some of the best stations in the world. Its gleaming brass clock, the exquisite staircases, and the unique celestial ceiling, with its light bluish-green background filled with well-known constellations dotted by tiny lights. Restored in recent years, the cavernous main hall is bathed in natural light during the day, and pulsates with activity day and night, thanks not least to its three busy restaurants: Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, Metrazur, and the famous Grand Central Oyster Bar. The gorgeous Chrysler Building gleams nearby, and while the building isn't open to tourists, its staggeringly beautiful Art Deco lobby, with murals celebrating transportation themes, is definitely one of New York’s finest. Meanwhile, the Morgan Library & Museum presents diverse cultural offerings and is home to a dazzling collection of rare books, all housed in an Italian Renaissance-style palazzo that reflects the nature and stature of its contents. Murray Hill is also home to various educational and cultural institutions such as the CUNY Graduate Center, Stern College for Women and the Oxford University Press. Other notable establishments include the Mexican Cultural Institute and the Scandinavia House, which is dedicated to the education and preservation of Nordic culture. There are also plenty of dining options on the Hill. If you're craving Mexican, try Baby Bo's Cantina on 2nd Avenue, or perhaps a pricier Italian meal at venerable neighborhood institution Rossini's, or go full-on Mediterranean at Salute. Murray Hill also counts the original The Palm among its favorite eateries, a casual elegant restaurant that has remained in its place since 1926, long before their brand branched out into other parts of Manhattan and, eventually, from coast-to-coast. The walls are adorned with caricatures of nationally and locally famous figures, and generations have been coming back to taste the incredible hash browns or to order a three-pound jumbo lobster, not to mention the steaks that made the Palm famous in the first place! Murray Hill is a great neighborhood to stay in while you're visiting New York—it's close to many major attractions, but still out of the way enough that it makes for an easy and quick escape from the hectic pace of Midtown—and the hotel offerings in the area mirror that fact. The all-suite Affinia Dumont is among the more spacious and elegant options, while the Park South Hotel is a more moderately priced option that's still rife with style.

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Info

58 Park Ave
New York, NY 10016
(212) 879-9779
Website

Editorial Rating

Admission And Tickets

Gallery and building admission is free.
Event admission varies by program.

There is a suggested donation for admission to exhibitions in the third and fourth-floor galleries: $3.00 general public; $2.00 students and senior citizens; free for ASF members. There are fees for films, concerts, and some other programs.

This Week's Hours

Tue: 12:00pm-6:00pm
Wed: 12:00pm-7:00pm
Thu-Sat: 12:00pm-6:00pm

Nearby Subway

  • to 42nd St/Grand Central
  • to 42nd St/Grand Central
  • to 33rd St -- 0.3

Upcoming Events

Scandinavia House x Visit Faroe Islands Fog Swept Cargo Opening Celebration

Starting at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 13, celebrate the opening of Fog Swept Cargo, a limited-time exhibition at Scandinavia House celebrating the art and culture of The Faroe Islands. The gallery opening will feature a panel discussion moderated by curator Kinna Poulsen with featured artists incl... [ + ]uding:Hansina IversenRandi SamsonsenJóhan Martin ChristiansenAlda Mohr EyðunardóttirFollowing the panel, enjoy a screening of the film Heartist exploring the life and work of artist Sigrun Gunnarsdótti, followed by a film panel with directors Marianna Mørkøre & Beinta á Torkilsheyggi and producers Jón Hammer & Rógvi Rasmussen. Tickets can be purchased for $10/person at this link. 

04/13/2024 11:00 AM
Sat, April 13
11:00AM
$
Gallery and building admission is free.
Event admission varies by program.

There is a suggested donation for admission to exhibitions in the third and fourth-floor galleries: $3.00 general public; $2.00 students and senior citizens; free for ASF members. There are fees for films, concerts, and some other programs.
Get Tickets

Visit Faroe Islands x Scandinavia House Faroese Literary Roundtable

Take part in the Faroe Islands Culture Days Series at Scandinavia House on Wednesday, April 17 at 7:00 pm to explore the motifs and themes often present in Faroese literature with a roundtable hosted by cultural cultivators of the written word, FarLit. Featuring authors Kim Simonsen, Rannavá Holm Mo... [ + ]rtensen, Bárður Oskarsson and Marjun Syderbø Kjelnæs, attendees will hear poetry and short stories from the Faroe Islands, translated into English, offering a unique glimpse into the literary culture of the Faroe Islands. Register for free using this link. 

04/17/2024 07:00 PM
Wed, April 17
7:00PM
$
Gallery and building admission is free.
Event admission varies by program.

There is a suggested donation for admission to exhibitions in the third and fourth-floor galleries: $3.00 general public; $2.00 students and senior citizens; free for ASF members. There are fees for films, concerts, and some other programs.
Get Tickets

Visit Faroe Islands x Scandinavia House Faroese Knitwear Showcase & Drop-In

Explore the art of knitting, a cottage industry that holds deep cultural significance for the Faroese. Open Saturday April 20 and Sunday April 21, visitors can hear from knitwear brands, shop Faroese styles and even learn to knit. From 10 am - 6 pm on  Saturday, April 20, the Faroese knitting e... [ + ]xhibition will include a screening of the short documentary The Wool Islands, followed by a panel discussion of knitwear designers moderated by model and actress Isabella Rossellini. The panel conversation will explore wool, traditions, knitting and fashion — how the Faroese (historically and to today) have contributed on these topics. The program will be followed by a Faroese Knitwear Showcase & Drop-In Knitting event from 1-5 PM, complimentary for panel attendees. Knitting workshops teaching the craft, hosted by Shisa Brand will also be offered on Sunday, April 21 from 12:00 - 2:00 PM. Highlighting the oldest and most sacred creative industry in the Faroe Islands, visitors will have an opportunity to meet Faroese designers to talk wool, knit, tradition, design vision and sustainable fashion. Admission is free for attendees of other weekend design events (including both the panel and film screening and the workshops) and $5 for other drop-ins. Panel tickets may be purchased HERE for $20/person. Drop-In knitting event tickets may be purchased HERE.

04/20/2024 11:00 AM
Sat, April 20
11:00AM
$
Gallery and building admission is free.
Event admission varies by program.

There is a suggested donation for admission to exhibitions in the third and fourth-floor galleries: $3.00 general public; $2.00 students and senior citizens; free for ASF members. There are fees for films, concerts, and some other programs.
Get Tickets

Visit Faroe Islands x Scandinavia House Faroese Knitting Workshop

Presented in Faroe Islands Culture Days, join for a three-hour workshop led by renowned Faroese knitter Sára Mrdalo. This program will explore the rich tradition of Faroese knitting, teaching participants new techniques and different pattern-work such as lace, structure, cable knit, and two-colored ... [ + ]patterns. Two sessions of the program will be offered, one from 10 AM to 1 PM and one from 2 PM to 5 PM. Basic knowledge is needed for the workshop, with cast-on, knit and purl competence. Participants will need to bring their own materials, including 5 double-pointed needles U.S. size 6, as well as size 6 needles, and 2-3 skeins of yarn (see details below). Sessions will be limited to 20 attendees per session; please reserve early to guarantee attendance.Tickets can be purchased HERE for $70/person. Workshop tickets also include complimentary admission to the Faroese Knitwear Showcase & Drop-In Knitting events on Saturday & Sunday, April 20-21.

04/21/2024 10:00 AM
Sun, April 21
10:00AM
$
Gallery and building admission is free.
Event admission varies by program.

There is a suggested donation for admission to exhibitions in the third and fourth-floor galleries: $3.00 general public; $2.00 students and senior citizens; free for ASF members. There are fees for films, concerts, and some other programs.
Get Tickets
View All Upcoming Events

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