New contemporary arts space

The American Academy of Arts and Letters in New York is pleased to announce it will open 10,000 square feet of its Beaux Arts–style galleries to the public year-round beginning September 26, 2024. The major milestone in the institution’s 125-year history is accompanied by a new curatorial program featuring solo exhibitions, original commissions by contemporary artists, and interdisciplinary events. The program is led by Chief Curator Jenny Jaskey, in consultation with a committee of Arts and Letters artist members including: Mel Chin, Charles Gaines, Ann Hamilton, Joan Jonas, and Amy Sillman. 

The fall season will feature a solo exhibition of Christine Kozlov, one of Conceptual art's first practitioners, across four galleries in Arts and Letters’s South Building and a commissioned sound installation by artist and composer Raven Chacon in the North Gallery. On the occasion of Chacon’s exhibition, composer Wadada Leo Smith, an Arts and Letters member and Chacon’s former teacher, will exhibit his scores in the Hassam Gallery and perform in a joint concert with Chacon on Saturday, September 28, during opening weekend. In October, Arts and Letters will premiere a durational performance by choreographer Jonathan González in its library and members’ room. Next year, the spring season will showcase exhibitions by photographer and filmmaker Elle Pérez and painter Teresa Baker.

The opening follows a significant renovation to the Arts and Letters buildings, with further capital improvements planned over the next three years. Founded in 1898 and located in landmark buildings in Washington Heights, Arts and Letters is an honor society of artists, architects, composers, and writers who foster and sustain interest in the arts. Among the 300 members of Arts and Letters are Hilton Als, Laurie Anderson, Robert Caro, Peter Eisenman, Joy Harjo, Tania León, Cindy Sherman, Amy Tan, Kara Walker, and Pamela Z. Arts and Letters members honor and support creative individuals, notably through over seventy annual awards and prizes. Championing experimentation and speaking to the breadth of contemporary art today, the new program will give artists space, time, and resources to realize ambitious projects. 

Arts and Letters will host writers, architects, composers, and artists for concerts, talks, and additional public events throughout the year and offer tours of its historic buildings on Audubon Terrace. If you are interested in learning more about the new program or would like to sign up for the Arts and Letters mailing list, please visit artsandletters.org.

Fall exhibitions: September 26, 2024–February 9, 2025
Gallery hours: Thursday–Sunday, 12–6pm