200th anniversary
We’re turning 200!
From our beginnings as Brooklyn’s first public circulating library to the global cultural hub we are today, the Brooklyn Museum’s story has always been one of evolution and transformation. Nurtured by the freethinking spirit and creative energy of our home borough, we continuously reimagine what a museum can be. And we’re just getting started!
You’re invited!
Join us as we meet this major milestone in our journey and celebrate all year long with a lineup of special exhibitions and events. Revisit this page often to discover more in store.
Birthday Bash
October 5–6, 2024
The Brooklyn Museum will kick off its anniversary celebration with a Birthday Bash, filled with programming and events that will highlight the best of the borough and mark two centuries of doing things “the Brooklyn way.”
Anniversary exhibitions
The Brooklyn Artists Exhibition
October 4, 2024–January 26, 2025
As a testament to our longstanding commitment to Brooklyn’s many talented denizens, the Museum will spotlight Brooklyn artists with a major group exhibition reflecting the range of creativity in the borough.
Toward Joy: New Frameworks for American Art
Opening October 4, 2024
How might American art be experienced at this moment? A transformative reinstallation of the American Art galleries will reorient the ways that the Brooklyn Museum exhibits—and audiences rediscover—this acclaimed collection.
Solid Gold
November 16, 2024–July 6, 2025
The majesty of gold will be explored in an immersive exhibition that combines showpieces from our collection with international loans, illuminating the ways that gold has been a symbol of beauty, honor, joy, ritual, spirituality, success, and wealth throughout history.
Breaking the Mold: Brooklyn Museum at 200
February 26, 2025–February 22, 2026
The Museum’s collection has always championed artists and artworks that catalyze imaginative storytelling and brave conversations. With three chapters of both longtime favorites and brand-new gifts, this exhibition explores the collection’s rich history and future evolution.
Museum on Wheels
Meeting people where they are
Conceived in partnership with the Brooklyn community, this mobile museum can pull up anywhere in Brooklyn with touchable selections from our collection of teaching objects—plus a variety of activities.
Soft launching September 2024
Brooklyn Icons
The Brooklyn Museum is commemorating its 200th anniversary by spotlighting 200 standout objects in its encyclopedic collection.
More to come
Stay tuned for other exciting developments throughout the anniversary year. New food and beverage options and exclusive merchandise will enhance the visitor experience over the coming months, marking this pivotal moment in the Museum’s history.
There’s never been a better time to become part of the Brooklyn Museum community. Follow along on social under the hashtag #BkM200 and sign up for our newsletters so you don’t miss a thing. Better yet, become a Member to get insider, out-of-the-gate access to it all.
Support #BkM200
Join us as we meet this major milestone and help us shape what the next 200 years can be!
Proud Sponsor of the 200th Anniversary Celebration