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Call it the second Harlem renaissance. On New York City's 125th St, where a sculpture of civil rights leader Adam Clayton Powell Jr stride onwards and upwards, the area is buzzing with energy and excitement.

A Community in Renewal

The famous Apollo Theater is undergoing major renovations. Another cultural institution is set to relocate into an $80M arts complex spanning a entire block. Additionally, the National Urban League recently unveiled a $250M building containing its main offices, affordable housing and retail space.

“This structure declares to the world: Harlem matters; Black art is significant; Black institutions are crucial,” remarked the leader of the board of trustees. “It will stand as a beacon on this historic street, a space where art and people converge.”

Historical Foundation

This institution was established by artists, activists, philanthropists and local residents to confront the widespread omission of Black artists from mainstream institutions. It opened in a leased space above an off-licence in the late 1960s, a traumatic year of assassinations, uprisings and societal transformation.

“This occasion resembles what it must have felt like when it all began,” reflected a museum leader. “The institution emerged in a world of flux. The country was divided. People were marching. Creators were insisting to be seen and heard.”

Building Design

The recently completed $160M facility spans 82,000 square feet across seven levels. Designed by architectural firms, the building constitutes the first purpose-built home for the museum and nearly doubles its gallery and activity areas.

The facility includes exhibition spaces, an expansive lobby, flexible programme spaces, a dedicated education workshop, a cafe and retail store, plus a open-air deck with sweeping urban vistas. An impressive staircase, clad in terrazzo, occupies the central vertical gallery.

Collection Highlights

The inaugural exhibition schedule showcases the museum's past, present and future with several key shows. A particular display features the initial comprehensive retrospective of pioneering artist Tom Lloyd, whose electronic light sculptures appeared in the institution's first show.

• William T Williams's late 1960s Trane pays homage to jazz legend
• Kerry James Marshall's iconic work confronts lack of representation and African American portrayal
• Jean-Michel Basquiat's significant painting features vigorous marks and mixed media elements
• The celebrated artist's initial narrative textile captures her community in both celebratory and elegiac tones

Broader Impact

The institution's opening feels particularly significant during a time when inclusion programs, museums and the way African American history is presented face growing challenges. New York has just chosen a mayor who personifies the city's cultural diversity, and this neighborhood has a particular talent for making renaissance resemble resistance.

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

This institution honors its significant residency program with an alumni show including prominent figures such as Kehinde Wiley, Mickalene Thomas and Titus Kaphar. The exhibition mixes new commissions with older artworks spanning multiple decades.

Continuing Mission

Including recent acquisitions are sound-based works and sculptural pieces. Seven bronze time capsules created by artist Houston Conwill contain private statements by prominent African American figures, originally interred in the institution's outdoor space in 1984 and now on display with plans to be opened in September 2034.

Guests can explore an historical display of photographs and memorabilia documenting the museum's history through its exhibitions, programs and activities over almost sixty years. This extensive legacy includes memorable moments ranging from dignitary appearances to community performances that together demonstrate the museum's lasting influence.