The year 2025 has been transformative for New York City, not only because of the new mayor but also due to the resurgence and evolution of its cultural institutions. The Studio Museum in Harlem has reopened after a seven-year hiatus, better than ever, and the Frick Collection has utilized its substantial endowment for a significant expansion and renovation. Anticipation builds for the forthcoming New Museum as the gallery scene continues to evolve, with farewells and new arrivals shaping the landscape.
This year has been monumental, featuring exhibitions poised to become part of art history itself. Highlights include Amy Sherald at the Whitney, Rashid Johnson at the Guggenheim, and Wifredo Lam at The Met. Additionally, exhibitions are redefining art history, with the Ford Foundation Gallery presenting a survey on Indigenous design lineages and the Brooklyn Museum debuting the work of 20th-century Malian photographer Seydou Keïta. Celebrations of local talent are also prominent, with shows featuring the late Jack Whitten at MoMA, Coco Fusco at El Museo del Barrio, and Reverend Joyce McDonald at the Bronx Museum.
The city’s vibrant art scene offers even more. Presented in no particular order, these exhibitions represent the finest of the year. — Lisa Yin Zhang, associate editor
Amy Sherald: American Sublime
Whitney Museum of American Art, April 9–August 10
Curated by Sarah Roberts and Rujeko Hockley with David Lisbon
Amy Sherald’s journey through Black portraiture has crafted a unique American realism, reinforcing her place in art history. Her defiance against the Trump administration’s attempts to dilute her National Portrait Gallery show further cemented her legacy. — Hakim Bishara, editor-in-chief
Saya Woolfalk: Empathic Universe
Museum of Arts and Design, April 12–September 7
Curated by Alexandra Schwartz
Woolfalk’s vibrant, hybridized visuals create a personal universe full of wonder and lush imagery, urging viewers to imagine the future. The exhibition blends mecha, mascot culture, and theater’s transformative energy. — Hrag Vartanian, editor-at-large
Nayland Blake
Matthew Marks Gallery, September 12–October 25
Organized by the gallery and the artist
Divided into three parts, this exhibition reflects on Blake’s work during the AIDS crisis and the culture wars. It features collaborations with other artists and new sculptures blending a psychiatrist’s office with an S&M chamber. — Aruna D’Souza
