The Culture List: The Art & Culture To Explore In New York City This Autumn
New York City truly comes alive in autumn, when temperatures are mild enough to partake in the diverse array of arts and culture events. Here, we round up some of the best of NYC culture, from explorations of LGBTQIA+ and Native history to unmissable art, heritage fests and more…
3 Museums To Explore The History Of New York City
1. Museum Of The City Of New York, Manhattan
This museum, which opened in 1923 on the city’s famed Fifth Avenue, explores the history, art, and pop culture of New York. These are the exhibitions to note:
New York At Its Core – 2024 marks four hundred years of the city’s name change from ‘New Amsterdam’ to ‘New York’ at the arrival of the English colonisers. At this exhibit, explore the city’s growth from a port city to a world-class culture and financial nexus. Open now
Activist New York – New York has long been known as a hub of change on issues as diverse as LGBTQIA+ rights, wages and race. Here you can learn about the history of social activism across the five boroughs from the 17th century right up to the present day. Open now
2. Mercer Labs Museum Of Art And Technology, Manhattan – Here, art meets technology for an ‘ultra sensory experience’ – immerse yourself in 15 different spaces, from dazzling lights and digital art to a sound bath and futuristic innovations. It’s family-friendly and interactive, and afterwards you can treat yourself to mochi balls from the museum gift shop. Open now
3. National Museum Of The American Indian, Manhattan – The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) is part of the Smithsonian Institution, caring for one of the world’s most expansive collections of Native artifacts. Its exhibition Native New York (ongoing) tells the story of the original inhabitants of the city, introducing visitors to the Native nations that call the region home. Open now
4 Feasts & Festivals To Experience In New York
1. Annual Feast of San Gennaro, Little Italy – Head to Manhattan’s Little Italy for the 98th Annual Feast of San Gennaro, an Italian-American heritage feast celebrating the martyred saint, featuring food, a procession, Italian vendors and more. 12-22 September
2. Afrobeats Block Party & Jollof Cook-off, Brooklyn – Enjoy West African culture at this late summer event with Afrobeats, colourful ’fits, diverse vendors and the popular jollof rice rivalry among West African countries with a taste-off. Mark the date for some lituation. 14 September
3. Colors Tones Of NYC, Queens – Two days of ‘cultural exploration’, including live music, art, workshops, discussions and pop-ups featuring artists and creatives Mustafa The Poet, Moses Sumney, Naomi Sharon, Baby Rose and many more at the Knockdown Center. 10 & 11 October
4. Hearth & Harvest Festival, Staten Island – Visit for Native American culture, crafts, reenactments, bygone recipes, storytelling and dance, on the grounds of a 17th-century Dutch and English living history museum that has been keeping history alive for decades. 23 November
3 Galleries To See Vibrant Art In New York
1. Whitney Museum of American Art, Manhattan – Located in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District with views of the Hudson River and High Line, the Whitney’s display of contemporary art attracts art aficionados. Check out these exhibitions while you’re in the city…
The Whitney’s Collection: Selections From 1900 To 1965 – This exhibition depicts works from the museum’s founding collection such as Norman Lewis’ American Totem (1960), which was created during the Civil Rights Movement. Ongoing
Edges Of Ailey – Celebrate the life and legacy of famous choreographer Alvin Ailey. The exhibition will feature dance montages, Black spirituality in dance, Black diaspora music, and live performances. 25 September 2024-9 February 2025
2. Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn – The second-largest museum in New York works to share “art and experiences that inspire celebration, compassion, courage, and the will to act”.
Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist & All That It Implies is dedicated to giving Catlett – one of the most important Black feminist artists of the 20th century – the overdue recognition she deserves, showcasing 150 of her works. 13 September 2024-19 January 2025
The Brooklyn Artists Exhibition – Celebrates the borough’s dazzling breadth of talent, including works by more than 200 artists and marking the museum’s 200th anniversary. 4 October 4 2024-26 January 2025
3. The Met Fifth Avenue, Manhattan – The Manhattan branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, commonly known as ‘The Met’ is renowned for hosting the annual Met Gala. But year-round, it’s home to more than 5,000 years of art from around the world. Here are some of its current exhibitions to note:
Before Yesterday We Could Fly – Enjoy this Afrofuturist exhibition of Seneca Village, the 19th-century African American community that was demolished to build Central Park. It is inspired by a retelling of African American folktales. Ongoing
Collecting Inspiration: Edward C. Moore At Tiffany & Co – View a collection of glass, silver, and decorative art by the creative mind behind some of the jewellery brand’s most iconic designs. Until 20 October
The African Origin Of Civilization: Myth Or Reality – Explore diverse artworks from African cultures displaying under-recognised West and Central African art. Until 19 January 2025
Kemi Ibeh is a freelance travel and culture writer based in Brooklyn, New York City. She has written for publications including Time Out, Thrillist and more
