The predecessor exhibition, Activist New York, ran for more than a decade and became the museum's most-cited gallery; this replaces it with a permanent center and a sharper organizing idea. Instead of a chronology, the show is built around four tactics - demonstrate, organize, make art and media, take direct action - which turns 250 years of city history into something closer to a working manual.
What to expect
A permanent gallery arranged by tactic rather than timeline, drawing on the museum's collection of protest ephemera, photography, posters, banners and media across two and a half centuries of New York movements. It is dense and reading-heavy in the best way. Because it is permanent, you can return to it, which the four-part structure rewards.
Good to know
- This is a permanent exhibition rather than a temporary show, so there is no closing date to plan around.
- It is the cornerstone of the new Puffin Foundation Center for New York City Activism at the museum.
- It replaces Activist New York, the museum's long-running predecessor gallery, which closed in July.
- MCNY is at 1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street, reachable on the 6 train to 103rd Street.
- It opens the same day as the museum's Halumii Ktapihna exhibition, so one visit covers both.
- Weekend museum hours run later than weekday hours - check before an evening arrival.
Planning Sep 25–27, 2026 in NYC?
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Common questions
Is this permanent?
Yes. Raise Your Voice is the cornerstone exhibition of the Puffin Foundation Center for New York City Activism, described by the museum as a new permanent home.
How is the exhibition organized?
Around four tactics New Yorkers have used to drive change: demonstrations, organizing, art and media, and direct action - covering more than 250 years.
What happened to Activist New York?
It closed in July 2026 to make way for this exhibition, which succeeds it as the museum's activism gallery.
More at Museum of the City of New York
