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It was a banner year for museum exhibits in New York City, from sprawling art shows to fascinating historical exhibits. But the year's not over yet. There are still plenty of worthwhile museum exhibits and pieces of public art to check out before they wrap up.
Here are nine exhibitions closing soon that you should check out before they go. We've organized the list in chronological order, so you can see where to go first.
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1. Abraham Lincoln: His Life in Print at Grolier Club
See it through December 28, 2024
Learn how Abraham Lincoln became a lawyer through self-disciplined study, won the White House through the concurrent rise of American popular publishing, and remains one of the most written about figures over the 160 years since his death at the Grolier Club. “Abraham Lincoln: His Life in Print” uses original printings of books and ephemera to create a sweeping, conceptual portrait of the man.
The exhibition features important editions of Lincoln’s greatest accomplishments, including the Emancipation Proclamation, the Gettysburg Address, the Cooper Union Speech, his debates with Stephen A. Douglass, and many others. More than 150 objects describe the life of Lincoln as he was born in the American West, captivated by literature, shaped by the portentous 1850s, tested by the American Civil War, responsible for the end of slavery, and murdered and mourned at the age of 56.
2. Survival Piece #5: Portable Orchard at The Whitney
Closes on January 5, 2025
There’s a grove of 18 citrus trees growing in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District at the Whitney Museum. The exhibition, “Survival Piece #5: Portable Orchard,” was conceived in 1972 by Helen Mayer Harrison and Newton Harrison. This groundbreaking eco-art project is on view at a museum for the first time since its debut more than 50 years ago.
3. Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry at AMNH
On view through on January 5, 2025
This gem of a show at the American Museum of Natural History features dozens of incredible necklaces, rings, watches, chains, and more worn by some of the biggest names in music. A few highlights include T-Pain’s Big Ass Chain necklace, Ghostface Killah’s eagle arm band, Nicki Minaj’s Barbie pendant, Beyoncé’s nail rings, Cardi B’s nipple covers, and Slick Rick’s crown. While the pieces are a sight to behold up-close, the exhibit carries a much deeper meaning, especially as New York City recently celebrated 50 years of hip-hop.
4. Taking Care: The Black Angels of Sea View Hospital
Closes on January 5, 2025
Have you ever heard of the Black Angels? This group of nurses who risked their lives to take care of tuberculosis patients at Sea View Hospital in Staten Island and were an important part of reducing deaths from the bacterial disease in the U.S. You can learn more about the nurses at the Staten Island Museum’s newest exhibition, "Taking Care: The Black Angels of Sea View Hospital," which highlights the stories of these little-known figures of New York City’s history. It's on view through January 5, 2025.
5. We Are Here: Scenes from the Streets at ICP
On view through January 6, 2025
Explore contemporary street photography from over 30 international iconic street photographers, including Devin Allen, Shoichi Aoki, Farnaz Damnabi, Debrani Das, Romuald Hazoumè, Youcef Krache, Josué Rivas, Randa Shaath, Jamel Shabazz, Trevor Stuurman, Alexey Titarenko, and Nontsikelelo Veleko. The exhibit is an in-depth exploration of contemporary life in diverse public and community spaces, with some photos dating back to the 1970s.
6. Star Light Star Bright in Lower Manhattan
On view until January 9
Around the world, wish trees emerged centuries ago as a symbol of possibility. By putting a tag on a tree, you’re thinking about the future you want to see. Now, you can do exactly that at this Financial District public art installation.
At "Star Light Star Bright," visitors can attach their vibrant wishes to a lit-up steel frame shaped like a star. Designed by studio Hou de Sousa, the frame is made out of 1,200 colorful chains and will sit at the plaza in front of 140 Broadway by Cedar Street.
7. Liberty the Tattooed Lady at City Reliquary
Closes on January 12, 2025
The Statue of Liberty has long served as an inspiration for tattoo artists. An exhibit at the quirky City Reliquary features vintage State of Liberty tattoos. As the first show devoted to Lady Liberty ink, it also traces tattooing history in NYC since the 1800s. See antique flash, vintage photographs, drawings, and other ephemera that show how Lady Liberty has been a popular subject in tattooing for as long as she’s stood in New York Harbor.
8. The Brooklyn Artists Exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum
On view through January 26, 2025
The Brooklyn Artists Exhibition is the largest showcase of Brooklyn artists in the Brooklyn Museum‘s two centuries of history. The sprawling exhibit highlights artists at all stages of their careers working across the full range of disciplines—from drawing, painting, collage, and photography to sculpture, video and performance.
The show features more than 200 artists reflecting the range of creativity in the borough. From a documentary photograph of the Brooklyn waterfront by Tracie Dawn Williams to a stunning sculpture by Richard Haining made of reclaimed wood from the city's water towers, the show is a celebration of the borough and the artists who make Brooklyn a place unlike any other.
9. New Start, New Hope in the Garment District
See it through January 2025
People often talk about New York City's skyline after dark—where office lights and lit-up bridges glow like stars in the night sky. But the Garment District takes lighting to the next level in their public art installation "New Start, New Hope." The installation, created by local artist Xin Song, features 135 ornate lanterns that dot the city streets along three Broadway plazas.
The lanterns, strung in the air, light up in green, red and blue hues. Each one is designed with intricate patterns, some of which resemble flowers, diamonds or shamrocks. Find them on the Broadway plazas between 36th and 39th Streets.