The New Museum is founded by Marcia Tucker with support from founding Trustee Allen Goldring. Tucker and a small staff of volunteers start work at the New Museum, headquartered in an office in the Fine Arts Building, at 105 Hudson Street, on the first business day of 1977.

In July 1977, the New Museum moves into office quarters and an exhibition space at the Graduate Center of the New School for Social Research at 65 Fifth Avenue at 14th Street with the help of Trustee Vera List.