The Luce Center, a unique part of the American Wing, features displays of fine and decorative arts that supplement those in the main galleries and period rooms. The center also includes an exhibition space for a variety of objects, including light-sensitive works that cannot be on long-term view.

In the visible-storage cases, works are organized by type or material, such as painting, sculpture, furniture, architectural fragments, ceramics, glass, silver, and pewter. Within each category, objects are generally further grouped by date, form, style, geography, and, when possible, artist.

The Henry R. Luce Center for the Study of American Art is made possible by the Henry Luce Foundation, Inc. Generous support was also provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts. Additional grants were received from the National Endowments for the Humanities and the Arts.