Movie and theatre posters are the most honest surviving record of who a studio thought its audience was, and Act Black lines up decades of that evidence for Black American stage and screen. It closes September 6, the same Sunday as Love & Fury upstairs, so one ticket clears two last-chance shows. If you like design history that carries an argument, do this now.
What to expect
Original printed sheets at their intended scale, which is larger and louder than reproductions suggest, hung with production and distribution context. Poster House is small and quiet compared with the Chelsea gallery district around it. Expect around forty minutes for this show and ninety for the whole museum.
Good to know
- Take the F or M to 23rd Street or the 1 to 23rd Street; the museum is at 119 West 23rd Street
- The same ticket covers all four current exhibitions in the building
- Most Chelsea galleries nearby are still dark for the summer break, so do not plan a gallery crawl around it
- Elevator access between floors makes the whole museum step-free
- Great for film buffs, graphic designers and anyone who collects prints
- The shop stocks reproductions if you want to take something home
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Common questions
When does it close?
September 6, 2026.
How big is Poster House?
Two floors. Four exhibitions are currently on view and all are covered by one admission.
Are the posters originals?
Yes, the exhibition presents original printed sheets rather than reproductions.
More this weekend
