Governors Island Offers Free Arts Programming for Families to Enjoy this Spring

Governors Island will turn into a one-stop-shop of art and culture for families to enjoy with the return of its annual Organizations in Residence program, kicking off May 1. 

The free program, organized by the Trust for Governors Island, will feature 24 New York-based organizations that will present exhibits, workshops, performances, artist residencies and more in the historic houses of Nolan Park and Colonels Row, which once served as homes to military officers and their families during the island's nearly two-century history as an Army and Coast Guard base. 

“We are thrilled to welcome back our Organizations in Residence program on the Island. This program and its  participants fully embody the diverse cultural community of New York City and offers visitors a unique opportunity to interact and engage with international artists, hands-on activities, workshops and talks,” said Clare Newman, president and CEO of the Trust for Governors Island. “We encourage visitors to take advantage of this free programming, suitable for all ages, while getting to visit the island and learn about its rich history.”

What to Expect at the Governors Island Organizations in Residence Program in 2022

Since Governors Island opened to the public in 2005, the Trust for Governors Island has invited organizations to utilize its historic houses to present public programs while providing workspace for artists and cultural practitioners. This year's program will be reminiscent of a cultural and educational village, with each organization having its own house to present programs and host residencies, allowing visitors to hop from one house to the next to learn something new.

Families can enjoy a variety of activities such as live performances, workshops, talks, creative projects and more hosted by participating institutions: 

• 4heads, Manhattan

• American Indian Community House, Manhattan

• ArtCrawl Harlem, Manhattan

• Beam Center, Brooklyn 

• Billion Oyster Project, Manhattan

• BronxArtSpace, Bronx 

• The Climate Museum, Manhattan

• Escaping Time: Art from U.S. Prisons, Manhattan

• Flux Factory, Queens

• Harvestworks, Manhattan

• KODA, Brooklyn 

• The Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts, Brooklyn 




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• NARS Foundation, Brooklyn 

• National Academy of Design, Manhattan

• New Art Dealers Alliance, Manhattan

• NY Virtual Volcano Observatory, Manhattan

• NYC Audubon, Manhattan

• NYU Gallatin WetLab, Manhattan

• Pratt School of Architecture, Brooklyn 

• Swale, Brooklyn 

• Syracuse University, Syracuse

• Triangle Arts, Brooklyn 

• West Harlem Art Fund, Manhattan