The Whitney Museum of American Art presents a series of free, on-site public programs and events celebrating Pride, June 9–12. Whitney Pride! will activate the Museum building and surrounding neighborhood with festivities for visitors of all ages. Whitney Pride! is part of the Museum’s ongoing commitment to support LGBTQ+ artists and communities and offer an inclusive space for all to gather and enjoy American art.
Whitney Pride! kicks off on Thursday, June 9, with two Pride parties. The Whitney and community partner ADAPT Community Network will host a Radical Joy Ball from 5–6 pm in the Museum’s Susan and John Hess Family Theater. Drawing from the traditions of New York’s ballroom culture, this event creates a space to celebrate the vibrancy of LGBTQ+ and Disability Pride through music, dance, and runway performances. In the Museum’s lobby from 7–10 pm, artist Nayland Blake will host one of their Gender Discard Parties. During this 21+ event, guests will enjoy live music, an open bar, dancing, and an opportunity to participate in various open-mic oral history sessions and games, including “BYOB: Bring Your Own Baggage,” for which partygoers are invited to bring gendered clothing items to discard and swap to reflect their true self. Blake, whose work is currently on view in Whitney Biennial 2022: Quiet as It’s Kept, is an interdisciplinary artist and teacher who uses sculpture and performance to respond to issues of race, gender identity, and sexuality.
On Friday, June 10, 4–7 pm, the Museum will host a Biennial Queer Teen Nightwith Andrew Roberts, one of the artists featured in Whitney Biennial 2022: Quiet as It’s Kept. At the event, LGBTQ+ teens and allies can participate in art-making workshops, led by Roberts, performances by Haus of Us, dancing, giveaways, activities from community partner The Door, and a tour of Whitney Biennial 2022: Quiet as It’s Kept led by Youth Insight Leaders. Starting Friday at 6 pm and continuing through the weekend, visitors are invited to join Whitney education staff on a Queer History Walking Tour of the Meatpacking District to learn more about the impact and history of LGBTQ+ communities in the neighborhood around the Whitney. Admission is pay-what-you-wish on Friday, June 10, 7–10 pm.
Whitney Pride! weekend festivities continue on Saturday, June 11, and Sunday, June 12, with Pride on the Whitney Lawn. The entirety of Gansevoort Street in front of the Museum’s main entrance will be transformed into a 6,000-square-foot pedestrian-only, grassy thoroughfare where visitors can enjoy family-friendly activities, including hands-on artmaking, performances, photo booths, giveaways, and more. In addition, special poetry readings from LGBTQ+ artists and a writing workshop hosted by Regie Cabico—poet, educator, and member of the collective A Gathering of the Tribes—will be held Saturday afternoon. Pride on the Whitney Lawn is presented in conjunction with L.E.A.F. Festival of Flowers, a neighborhood-wide celebration of community and the beauty of nature.
Art History From Home: Queer Belonging
June 9 | 12 pm
Looking at a range of artists, the session will examine the way art has been a powerful tool in documenting and building queer communities.
Radical Joy Ball with ADAPT
June 9 | 5–6 pm
The Radical Joy Ball celebrates unapologetically the pride of self-expression. At this event, we will highlight disability and LGBTQ+ pride.
Gender Discard Party with Nayland Blake
June 9 | 7–10 pm
In collaboration with Biennial artist, Nayland Blake, the Whitney Museum celebrates pride and LGBTQ+ communities with a free, after-hours event.
Biennial Queer Teen Night
June 10 | 4–7 pm
LGBTQ+ youth and allies are invited to join Biennial artist Andrew Roberts and Youth Insights Leaders for a celebration of pride at the Whitney Museum!
Pride on the Whitney Lawn
June 11 | 11 am–6 pm
To honor our LGBTQ+ community, families, and allies, the Whitney will host a day-long celebration of Pride outside the Museum on Gansevoort Street. Artmaking and poetry workshops with Biennial artist collective A Gathering of Tribes will be offered until 3 pm.
Pride on the Whitney Lawn
June 12 | 11 am–6 pm
Whitney Pride! festivities continue. Spend a lazy Sunday relaxing on the Whitney Lawn. Find Gansevoort Street transformed into a pedestrian-only, grassy thoroughfare. Enjoy special giveaways and floral installations, and take in the L.E.A.F. Festival of Flowers throughout the Meatpacking District.
Queer History Walks
Select Weekends, June–September
Join us for a free walking tour that explores the rich queer history of the neighborhood surrounding the Whitney Museum.
Whitney Museum of American Art Celebrates PRIDE! from June 9-12, located at 99 Gansevoort Street, NYC. Plus parties, history tours, art-making activities, and more at the Whitney and on the Whitney Lawn.