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Call it the second Harlem renaissance. On Manhattan's 125th Street, where a statue of Adam Clayton Powell Jr stride onwards and upwards, the atmosphere is filled with energy and excitement.

A Neighborhood in Renewal

The celebrated Apollo Theatre is in the middle of significant upgrades. The National Black Theatre is preparing to move into an $80 million cultural center covering a city block. Additionally, another organization recently opened a $250M building containing its main offices, affordable housing and commercial areas.

“This building says to the globe: Harlem matters; Black art is significant; Black institutions matter,” remarked the chairman of the governing board. “It will serve as a beacon on 125th Street, a space where art and people converge.”

Historical Roots

This institution was established by creators, advocates, donors and community members to address the widespread omission of African American artists from mainstream institutions. It opened in a rented loft above an off-licence in the late 1960s, a traumatic year of political murders, protests and social change.

“This moment feels what it must have been like when it all started,” noted a museum leader. “The museum was born in a time of change. The country was divided. People were marching. Creators were insisting to be recognized.”

Building Design

The recently completed $160M facility covers 82,000 sq ft across seven levels. Created by architectural firms, the building constitutes the first custom-designed home for the museum and almost doubles its exhibition and programme space.

The building features galleries, an large entrance hall, flexible programme spaces, a dedicated education workshop, a coffee shop and retail store, plus a open-air deck with sweeping urban vistas. An impressive staircase, finished with terrazzo, occupies the central vertical gallery.

Notable Artworks

The opening programming showcases the museum's past, present and future with four major exhibitions. A particular display features the initial comprehensive retrospective of pioneering artist an electronic art pioneer, whose electronic light sculptures appeared in the museum's inaugural 1968 exhibition.

• William T Williams's late 1960s Trane pays homage to John Coltrane
• Another prominent artist's iconic work addresses lack of representation and African American portrayal
• Jean-Michel Basquiat's Bayou features bold strokes and fragments of collage
• Faith Ringgold's first story quilt captures her community in both celebratory and mournful tones

Cultural Significance

The museum's arrival feels especially meaningful during a time when diversity initiatives, museums and the way Black history is told face increased scrutiny. New York has recently elected a mayor who embodies the city's cultural diversity, and this neighborhood has a particular talent for making renaissance resemble resistance.

“Harlem has always been evolving,” observed a longtime director. “This is a neighbourhood that has been changing since it was established. But Harlem has also been a neighbourhood where Black culture has thrived.”

The museum honors its significant artist-in-residence programme with an former residents exhibition including notable names such as contemporary portraitist, mixed-media artist and Titus Kaphar. The display combines recently created works with older artworks spanning various periods.

Future Legacy

Among new commissions are sonic installations and sculptural pieces. Metal containers created by sculptor Houston Conwill contain private statements by seven distinguished Black Americans, originally buried in the institution's outdoor space in 1984 and now exhibited with plans to be unveiled in the year 2034.

Guests can explore an archival presentation of images and memorabilia documenting the museum's history through its shows, programs and programmes over almost sixty years. This extensive legacy includes notable occasions ranging from royal visits to local presentations that together demonstrate the museum's lasting influence.