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Call it the new Harlem rebirth. On Manhattan's 125th St, where a statue of civil rights leader Adam Clayton Powell Jr marches forward, the area is filled with energy and excitement.

A Neighborhood in Renewal

The renowned Apollo Theater is undergoing major renovations. The National Black Theatre is set to relocate into an $80 million arts complex spanning a city block. Additionally, the National Urban League recently unveiled a $250 million building containing its main offices, affordable housing and commercial areas.

“This structure declares to the world: Harlem matters; Black art is significant; Black institutions matter,” stated the chairman of the board of trustees. “It will stand as a beacon on 125th Street, a place where art and people meet.”

Historical Roots

This institution was founded by artists, advocates, donors and local residents to address the systemic exclusion of Black artists from mainstream institutions. It opened in a rented loft above an liquor store in the late 1960s, a turbulent year of assassinations, uprisings and social change.

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

Architectural Vision

The recently completed $160 million structure spans 82,000 square feet across seven floors. Designed by design teams, the museum constitutes the first custom-designed space for the museum and nearly doubles its exhibition and programme space.

The building includes exhibition spaces, an expansive lobby, flexible programme spaces, a specialized learning studio, a cafe and retail store, plus a rooftop terrace with sweeping urban vistas. A monumental stair, clad in terrazzo, occupies the central vertical gallery.

Collection Highlights

The opening programming reflects the museum's past, present and future with four major exhibitions. A particular display features the first institutional career survey of innovative creator Tom Lloyd, whose electronic light sculptures appeared in the institution's first show.

• William T Williams's late 1960s musical tribute pays respect to John Coltrane
• Kerry James Marshall's Silence Is Golden confronts lack of representation and Black representation
• The renowned artist's Bayou features bold strokes and fragments of collage
• Faith Ringgold's first story quilt captures her community in both joyful and elegiac tones

Broader Impact

The museum's arrival feels especially meaningful during a time when inclusion programs, museums and the way African American history is presented face increased scrutiny. New York has just chosen a mayor who personifies the metropolis's multicultural character, and Harlem has a special ability for making cultural revival resemble defiance.

“This community has constantly transformed,” observed a longtime director. “It's a district that has been changing since it was founded. But Harlem has also been a neighbourhood where Black culture has flourished.”

This institution celebrates its significant residency program with an alumni show including prominent figures such as Kehinde Wiley, mixed-media artist and conceptual painter. The exhibition mixes recently created works with older artworks spanning multiple decades.

Continuing Mission

Including new commissions are sonic installations and sculptural pieces. Seven bronze time capsules created by artist Houston Conwill contain confidential testaments by prominent African American figures, originally buried in the museum's sculpture garden in 1984 and now on display with plans to be unveiled in the year 2034.

Guests can explore an historical display of photographs 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 dignitary appearances to local presentations that collectively demonstrate the institution's enduring impact.