Scandinavia House – The Nordic Center in America

Cultural center in New York City

Scandinavia House – The Nordic Center in America is the American Scandinavian Foundation's cultural center at 58 Park Avenue (between East 37th Street and East 38th Street), in Murray Hill, Manhattan, New York City. It is dedicated to preserving the history of the Scandinavian and Nordic countries in the United States through exhibits and programming. This cultural center hosts exhibitions of fine art, design as well as performing arts pieces from Nordic countries. The center also introduces the local population and guests with Scandinavian languages and customs by organizing courses. The Nordic Center was designed by architect James Stewart Polshek and opened to the public in 2000 with a visit from King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden and their eldest daughter, Princess Victoria, Princess Martha Louise of Norway, and Princess Benedikte of Denmark. According to the ASF website, more than 1.5 million people have visited since then. and Vilhelm Hammershøi, as well group exhibitions presenting major artworks from each of the Nordic countries. Exhibitions are presented alongside related programming including symposia, panel discussions, films, lectures, and art workshops.

The Halldór Laxness Library is furnished in classic Scandinavian design. Huge windows overlook Park Avenue, offering an excellent vista of New York landmarks. Computers with internet access are available and a small reading area is adjacent to the main part of the room. The Heimbold Family Children's Playing and Learning Center is open during the week to children's center members, and open to the public on Saturdays.

The American Scandinavian Foundation and Scandinavia House offices are located on the fifth and sixth floor. Located on these floors are the Statoil and Teekay Conference Rooms and the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation Seminar Room.

Located on the first floor of Scandinavia House is Smorgas Chef, a full service restaurant that is operated by Morten Sohlberg. This restaurant previously operated two more facilities in Wall Street and West Village, but as of 2017 these are now closed. The restaurant uses ingredients from its own farm, the Blenheim Hill Farm in Catskills, which has been in operation since the 1740s.

Scandinavia House has up to 300 donors from the U. S. and abroad. Among them are individuals, corporations, and foundations, as well as the Nordic governments and the Nordic Council of Ministers. ASF was one of the first non governmental organizations to promote cultural relations between countries. The Foundation is governed by a board of trustees of individuals from the United States and Scandinavia, representing diverse interests yet linked by personal or professional ties to the Scandinavian countries. The five Nordic Heads of State serve as the organization's patrons Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Harald V of Norway, Frederik X of Denmark, Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson, and Sauli Ninistö.