🔗 Share this article

Dubbed as the second Harlem renaissance. On Manhattan's 125th St, where a statue of Adam Clayton Powell Jr marches forward, the atmosphere is filled with bustle and buzz.

A Neighborhood in Transformation

The renowned Apollo Theater is undergoing major renovations. Another cultural institution is preparing to move into an $80 million cultural center covering a entire block. Meanwhile, another organization recently opened a $250M building containing its headquarters, low-income residences and retail space.

“This building says to the world: Harlem is important; Black art matters; Black institutions matter,” remarked the chairman of the governing board. “It will stand as a beacon on this historic street, a place where creativity and community converge.”

Historical Roots

This institution was established by creators, activists, donors and local residents to confront the widespread omission of Black artists from mainstream institutions. Its debut in a rented loft above an liquor store in the late 1960s, a traumatic year of political murders, uprisings and social change.

“This moment feels what it must have felt like when it all started,” reflected a institutional representative. “The museum was born in a time of change. The country was divided. People were marching. Artists were demanding to be recognized.”

Building Design

The new $160M structure covers 82,000 sq ft across seven floors. Designed by design teams, the museum constitutes the first custom-designed space for the institution and nearly doubles its exhibition and programme space.

The building includes exhibition spaces, an expansive lobby, flexible programme spaces, a specialized learning studio, a coffee shop and retail store, plus a open-air deck with sweeping urban vistas. A monumental stair, finished with terrazzo, fills the main atrium space.

Notable Artworks

The opening exhibition schedule showcases the museum's past, present and future with several key shows. A particular display features the first institutional career survey of pioneering artist an electronic art pioneer, whose illuminated works appeared in the museum's inaugural 1968 exhibition.

• William T Williams's 1969 abstract musical tribute pays homage to jazz legend
• Kerry James Marshall's iconic work confronts invisibility and African American portrayal
• The renowned artist's significant painting features bold strokes and mixed media elements
• The celebrated artist's first story quilt captures her neighborhood in both celebratory and elegiac tones

Broader Impact

The museum's arrival feels especially meaningful during a period when diversity initiatives, museums and the way African American history is told face increased scrutiny. The city has recently elected a mayor who personifies the city's cultural diversity, and this neighborhood has a special ability for making renaissance resemble resistance.

“Harlem has always been evolving,” commented a longtime director. “It's a district that has been evolving since it was established. But Harlem has also been a neighbourhood where Black culture has flourished.”

The museum celebrates its influential residency program with an alumni show including prominent figures such as contemporary portraitist, Mickalene Thomas and conceptual painter. The display combines recently created works with older artworks spanning various periods.

Future Legacy

Including new commissions are sonic installations and sculptural pieces. Seven bronze time capsules created by sculptor Houston Conwill contain confidential testaments by seven distinguished Black Americans, originally interred in the museum's sculpture garden in 1984 and now exhibited with plans to be unveiled in the year 2034.

Visitors can explore an historical display of photographs and ephemera documenting the institution's journey through its shows, events and programmes over nearly six decades. This rich history includes memorable moments ranging from royal visits to community performances that together illustrate the institution's enduring impact.