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Consider it the second Harlem renaissance. On Manhattan's 125th St, where a statue of Adam Clayton Powell Jr marches forward, the area is filled with energy and excitement.

A Neighborhood in Transformation

The renowned Apollo Theatre is undergoing major renovations. The National Black Theatre is set to relocate into an $80M arts complex spanning a city block. Meanwhile, another organization recently unveiled a $250M facility containing its headquarters, low-income residences and commercial areas.

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

Historical Foundation

This institution was founded by artists, activists, donors and community members to address the widespread omission of Black artists from mainstream institutions. It opened in a leased space above an liquor store in the late 1960s, a traumatic year of political murders, uprisings and societal transformation.

“This occasion resembles what it must have felt like when it all began,” reflected a institutional representative. “The institution emerged in a world of flux. Nation was split. People were marching. Creators were insisting to be recognized.”

Building Design

The recently completed $160 million structure covers 82,000 square feet across seven levels. Designed by design teams, the building constitutes the first purpose-built space for the institution and almost doubles its exhibition and programme space.

The building includes exhibition spaces, an expansive lobby, adaptable event areas, a specialized learning studio, a cafe and retail store, plus a rooftop terrace with sweeping urban vistas. An impressive staircase, clad in terrazzo, fills the central vertical gallery.

Notable Artworks

The opening programming showcases the institution's history and aspirations with four major exhibitions. A particular display features the initial comprehensive retrospective of pioneering artist an electronic art pioneer, whose illuminated works appeared in the institution's first show.

• An artist's 1969 abstract Trane pays respect to jazz legend
• Kerry James Marshall's iconic work confronts lack of representation and Black representation
• Jean-Michel Basquiat's Bayou features bold strokes and fragments of collage
• Faith Ringgold'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 inclusion programs, museums and the way African American history is told face increased scrutiny. The city has recently elected a mayor who personifies the metropolis's multicultural character, and this neighborhood has a special ability for making renaissance resemble defiance.

“This community has constantly transformed,” observed a longtime director. “This is a neighbourhood that has been changing since it was established. But Harlem has also been a community where African American culture has thrived.”

The museum honors its significant artist-in-residence programme with an former residents exhibition including prominent figures such as Kehinde Wiley, Mickalene Thomas and conceptual painter. The exhibition combines new commissions with historical pieces spanning multiple decades.

Continuing Mission

Including new commissions are sonic installations and sculptural pieces. Seven bronze time capsules created by sculptor Houston Conwill contain confidential testaments by prominent African American figures, originally buried in the museum's sculpture garden in the mid-1980s and now on display with plans to be opened in the year 2034.

Visitors can explore an archival presentation of images and ephemera documenting the institution's journey through its exhibitions, programs and programmes over nearly six decades. This rich history includes notable occasions ranging from royal visits to community performances that collectively illustrate the museum's lasting influence.