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New York’s art world and political leadership gathered at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Tuesday to mark the launch of Art Week NYC, a new citywide cultural festival celebrating the city’s galleries, institutions, and creative spaces. Organized by ARTnews, Art in America, and Artforum, the inaugural event runs from November 11 to 14, 2026.
A Landmark Gathering at the Met
The launch took place inside the Met’s light-filled Charles Engelhard Court. The space features the Neoclassical facade of the Second Branch Bank of the United States, dating from 1822 to 1824, alongside sculptures by American artists Daniel Chester French, Hiram Powers, and Augustus Saint-Gaudens.
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Among the speakers were City Council Speaker Julie Menin, Deputy Speaker Nantasha Williams, Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, New York State Senator Jose Serrano, and City Council member Virginia Maloney. Prominent arts figures also attended, including MoMA PS1 director Connie Butler, Arts Council England chairman Nicholas Serota, and Lisson Gallery international director Alex Logsdail.
David Breslin, the Met’s curator in charge of modern and contemporary art, welcomed guests “to launch what we know will become a defining tradition in our city’s cultural landscape—and that’s saying a lot.”
History, Inclusivity, and Record Funding
City Council Speaker Julie Menin opened the remarks by drawing a historical parallel. She noted that 100 years ago, pioneering New York dealer Edith Halpert launched what became the Downtown Gallery, one of the first spaces to champion American modern and folk art. Halpert initially called it Our Gallery as a signal of inclusivity. “As the very first citywide contemporary art festival, that is precisely the same spirit that Art Week NYC has built here,” Menin said. She also announced that the City Council allocated a record $323 million to the Department of Cultural Affairs in its latest budget.
Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal spoke about access and community. He recalled recently bringing all of the city’s local community boards to the Met, noting that some members had never visited before. “Art Week is a way to invite New Yorkers—just like we invited those community board members to the Met to experience art—to meet New Yorkers, as they say, where they are,” he said. He described the city’s hundreds of participating galleries as “magnificent little crown jewels.”
Public Investment and Economic Impact
Hoylman-Sigal also cited Public Theater founder Joseph Papp’s belief that art belongs to everyone. He confirmed a commitment of $50 million in discretionary capital funds to arts and cultural institutions. Furthermore, those institutions leveraged the public investment to raise an additional $52 million from private donors through what he called the “Manhattan Multiplier.”
City Council member Virginia Maloney closed the event with a personal reflection. Her grandmother was an artist, as is her brother-in-law. “They both taught me that art changes the way that you view the world,” she said. As chair of the Economic Development Committee, she added that art is not a luxury in New York. “It’s an economic engine for tourism, for visitors, for employers, and for businesses. When we invest in the arts, we know that we recoup the benefits tenfold.”
