🌈 Our 10th Annual LGBTQ+ Teen Night, titled “In This Town, We Show Pride,” is inspired by Oscar yi Hou’s exhibition, “East of sun, west of moon,” and will explore the themes of de-Westernizing-western, as well as power in pride and identity through a range of art-making, performances, and gallery activities celebrating queer art and activism! Be sure to invite your friends, family, and chosen family <3 🌈

At the start of the evening, join us for In the Saloon: De-westernizing Art, an artist talk with Augustina Wang and gallery activities in the Oscar yi Hou exhibition. In the Museum’s Beaux-Arts Court, customize your own pride flag, star badge, and capture polaroids with friends in our various art-making activities. Throughout the evening, enjoy performances by queer NYC-based artists such as PURP, Saint Ahmad, Constance, and share your talents at our open mic! 

🏳️‍🌈  LGBTQ+ Teen Nights are FREE inclusive events planned by and for LGBTQ+ teens and allies ages 14-19. LGBTQ+ Teen Night is organized by InterseXtions, our paid LGBTQ+ teen internship in queer art history and community programming. 🏳️‍🌈

🎟 https://bit.ly/3IRsich

Why Art is Central to Social Justice

Even though the mainstream art world is full of inequality and exclusion, art continues to be synonymous with liberation for marginalized peoples. It is virtually impossible to build a successful movement without symbols and icons to rally under. Art has proven itself time and time again to be a powerful medium for change.

Nazis, social justice advocates, and governments alike have relied on art to shift public opinion, yet in today’s era, art is often seen as an innocuous force. This is partly because the subtle art and design we consume everyday is not recognized as such. In reality, design shapes most everything we do and see. It shapes our homes, our technology, our relationships, and how we choose to spend our time. There are few actions in our everyday lives that are not shaped by art and design, yet art is still demonized as a pretentious and useless mode of self-expression.

Something often missing from conversations about social justice is an understanding of of how art is central to movements and ideas. A central element to the Civil Rights Movement of the 60’s was photography. White Americans being exposed to the chaos of the Deep South is part of what helped to push important legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Combahee River Collective, made up of black women artists provided a black femme perspective on race, sexuality and gender in the 70s and 80s. The modern-day Black Lives Matter has been fueled by videos of police officers brutally killing unarmed black people, and often portraits of these people become viral after their deaths. History has made it clear that imagery and iconography is central to changemaking.

It is important to not only recognize the many artists who have contributed to social justice movements throughout history, but also to encourage marginalized peoples to express themselves artistically. This involves both a shift institutionally within the art world, but also a cultural shift that places value on art and marginalized artists.

Image: ActiveStills Collective, 2005

Friday night plans? Check! ✔️⁠⁠

A new season of Teen Nights is just around the corner. Inspired by our special exhibitions and planned by our Teen Night Planning Committee, these events are grounded in art and activism. Not to mention, they’re free and open to ages 14–22. Save the date for our 2023 events, including:⁠⁠

January 27: Inspired by #VirgilAblohBkM⁠ March 17: Inspired by climate and environmental justice⁠ May 19: Inspired by #GreatMigrationBkM⁠ June 9: Tenth annual LGBTQ+ Teen Night⁠⁠

Learn more and save your spot: http://bit.ly/3vCN1JL⁠

We’re excited to honor and celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month with you all at one (or more) of these events during the month of June:

🌈 First Saturday: June 4 at 5 pm 🏳️‍⚧️ Drag & Draw: June 9 at 7 pm 🤟 LGBTQ+ Teen Night: (Dis)Respectfully Us: June 10 at 5 pm 🏳️‍🌈 Papi Juice Presents Brooklyn Pride: June 11 at 7 pm

#FirstSaturdaysBkM and LGBTQ+ Teen Night are free events, we just ask that you register in advance.

Kick back with us and enjoy some outdoor summer fun all month long! There's something for everyone—from an opening celebration for The Obama Portraits Tour to an exciting First Saturday Lite honoring the Caribbean diaspora and a special Drink and Draw with artist Nona Faustine. 

Learn more and about what's happening.

There's always something new to experience at the Brooklyn Museum, and this month is no exception! Join us in celebrating the final weeks of Lorraine O'Grady: Both/And with a virtual closing program, sip and sketch in our backyard Biergarten during this month's Drink and Draw, and get ready for art-making on our plaza, in-person summer camp, and two virtual teacher workshops! 

Check out what's happening in July!

Join us on Zoom as our annual LGBTQ+ Teen Night goes virtual. BkM Teens lead the evening with art-making, a panel discussion, drag, and music performances, and more. Gather online to express your inner extravagance and get inspired by Studio 54: Night Magic as we uplift safe and joyful community spaces, trailblazing underground nightlife, and unapologetic freedom.

Schedule:

5:00–5:05 pm Welcome and Keynote: Settle in for the evening with a keynote message from Levi Narine, a former BkM Teen, artist, and LGBTQ+ youth activist.

5:05–5:10 pm Icebreaker: Build shared community agreements with activities led by our BkM Teens MCs.

5:10–5:15 pm Pop-Up Talks: Catch short teen-led talks about works of art in Studio 54: Night Magic with themes of celebration amid crisis.

5:15–5:25 pm Art-making: Hacks for Home: Get inspired to remake your space with a workshop on 80’s-inspired glam selfies, a virtual studio visit with artist Michelle Marin, and quick makeup tips inspired by drag performance.

5:25–5:40 pm Vibe Check and Community Support: Welcome back our MCs for a vibe check and hear from our community partners, including Ali Forney Center and Ackerman Institute’s Gender & Family Project, about health resources and ways to keep safe while taking action.

5:40–6:25 pm Panel Discussion: Artist/activists D’hana Perry and RaFia Santana discuss how we can foster brave spaces for LGBTQ+ BIPOC freedom of expression and community-building, online and in physical space.

6:25–7:25 pm Performance: Experience comedy, drag, and dance performances by Jes Tom, LustSickPuppy, Junior Mintt, and DJ Pauli Cakes.

7:25–7:30 pm Close Out: Reflect and share with other LGBTQ+ teens and allies.

RSVP HERE! Free and open to all LGBTQ+ teens and their allies 14+, but registration is required. For more details, follow #bkmteens on Facebook and Instagram.

Xtravagant Xpressions is planned by InterseXtions, our paid LGBTQ+ teen internship in community programming and queer art history.

As you know, we're not a quiet museum—we’re a hub for creativity and community—and this week is no different! For the first time in twenty-one years, First Saturday has gone virtual! Starting at 5 pm on Saturday, April 4, tune in live to dance, sing, and be joyous, and know that we'll be right there with you.

Join us on Facebook Live or Zoom as we bring you:

5–6 pm Hands-On Art: Learn the art of foil embossing using common items in your home. You will need spare cardboard, scissors, glue, pencil, paper, and any markers you might have.

6–6:30 pm Brooklyn Museum Teen Variety Show: Experience spoken word poetry, storytelling, music, and more as our own talented teen staff responds to this moment of care and connectivity.

6:30–7:30 pm Music: Singer-producer Adeline blends French-Caribbean funk, disco, and soul.

7:30–8:30 pm Performance: The House of Bushwig presents a drag tribute to the age of disco, honoring legends from Cher to Diana Ross. Hosted by House mother Horrorchata and featuring Tyler Ashley, Neon Calypso, Merrie Cherry, Charlene, Mocha Lite, and Hannah Lou.