One million visit revamped museum

MoMA reopened in November 2004

More than one million people have visited New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) since it reopened after a $425m (£229m) revamp.

The Manhattan museum reopened in November 2004 after more than two years in a temporary space in nearby Queens.

The new building, designed by Yoshio Taniguch, is home to works of art by Picasso, Matisse and Andy Warhol.

MoMA's Ruth Kaplan said "We are delighted with the public response to our new building."

If the current rate of visits continues, the museum expects to have twice as many visitors this year as the 1.5 million it received annually in the mid-1990s, prior to the revamp.

Pricing protest

The success comes despite criticism of the museum's decision to increase entrance fees.

Art lovers picketed the museum's reopening last November in protest at entry prices of up to $20 (£11).

The New York Times also criticised the price hike as "an appalling and cynical figure".

Entry is free on Fridays between 1600 and 2000. On average, 6,000 visitors go in during these hours.

The old quarters were redesigned, gutted and doubled in size in the revamp.

Philanthropist David Rockefeller recently announced a $100m (£53 million) pledge for enhancing the museum's shows, the largest gift ever made to MoMA.