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For many in the art world, the Whitney’s Biennial is reason enough to live in New York. One of the most prestigious and respected exhibitions, it showcases important established and emerging American artists in a variety of media. Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, who donated her private collection, established the museum in 1930; noted Bauhaus architect Marcel Bruer designed the massive concrete building. The permanent collection is focused on American artists of the past century, including important works by Edward Hopper, Alexander Calder, and Georgia O’Keeffe. Many of the exhibitions revolve around the cultural and social history of the U.S., and focus on the oft–asked question of what it means to be an American.