Governors Island announces free programming ahead of May 1 opening
Photo by Kreg Holt
With the weather finally warming up, it’s time to start planning spring and summertime activities. The Trust for Governors Island on Monday unveiled its lineup of free programming for the island’s 2020 season, which officially kicks off on May 1. Throughout the season, more than 30 organizations will bring installations, exhibitions, workshops, and more to the 172-acre site, with most programs focusing on visual art, climate change and environmental science, and culture.
“We’re excited to announce another packed summer lineup this year, with a range of new events and old favorites designed to engage New Yorkers in all Governors Island has to offer,” Clare Newman, the CEO of the Trust, said in a press release.
Some notable new programming includes a display of architectural solutions to climate change challenges by students from the Pratt Institute of Architecture, a photo series celebrating the city’s lesser-known languages from the Endangered Language Alliance, and live performances and kimono exhibitions by Japan Performing Arts.
The Asia Society will open its inaugural Triennial, We Do Not Dream Alone, on Governors Island on June 5. The collection, which will be displayed at various sites across the city, will feature immersive works by 12 international artists displayed in three historic Colonels Row buildings and surrounding lawns.
Local and emerging artists will be featured in exhibitions hosted by Art Crawl Harlem, West Harlem Art Fund, and BronxArtSpace, with a residency program and curated exhibit by the New York Art Residency and Studios (NARS) Foundation.
Last September, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council opened a 40,000-square-foot center for galleries and studios with space for 40 resident artists, becoming Governors Island’s first year-round tenant dedicated to arts and culture. The LMCC’s Arts Center will present its first full season of public programming this season.
Other programs and events offered at Governors Island this season include:
- Art exhibitions, talks with Native artists, and live performances from the American Indian Community House
- A deep-dive into the work of the Billion Oyster Project
- An exhibition from the Climate Museum on a climate-safe future
- Learn about the intersection of art and technology with Harvestworks
- Explore the many themes of the African Diaspora from the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts
- Experience exploring a volcano virtually with the New York Virtual Volcano Observatory
- Attend nature-themed workshops and bird walks from NYC Audubon’s nature center
- The Pennslyvania College of Art & Design‘s Definitely, Probably exhibition on climate change
- Red Hook’s cultural center Pioneer Works will present workshops, performances, and concerts
- NYC’s only “adventure playground,” play:groundNYC
- Art exhibitions and residency programs from 4heads Artists-in-Residency Program, Beam Center, New Arts Dealers Alliance, and Syracuse University
- At Governors Island’s Urban Farm, learn about composting with Earth Matter NY, urban agriculture and gardening with Grow NYC, and the importance of honeybees with the Honeybee Conservancy and Island Bee Project
Governors Island will be open to the public starting May 1 until Nov. 1, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekends. Take the ferry from the Battery Maritime Building in the Financial District or, on weekends, from Pier 6 in Brooklyn. Ferry schedules can be found here.
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