New York Crystal Palace 1853 sheds light on a near-forgotten aspect of New York City's cultural history – America’s first world’s fair, held at the site of present-day Bryant Park. Presenting key objects from the mid-19th century, the exhibition illustrates New York City’s increasing industrialization and fledgling ambitions to contend as a global cultural center. The exhibition also explores the changing social fabric of the era, in which diverse, skilled immigrant populations produced many of the city’s highly sought-after consumer goods; new image-making technologies such as photography altered perceptions of environment and self; and increased public transit opened up new areas of the city to habitation and travel.

Our Gallery educators are BGC Master’s students who have undergone intensive training to work with K-12 students and adapt tour content to meet classroom educators’ curricular goals and standards.

Design by the Book: Chinese Ritual Objects and the Sanli tu (March 24 - July 30, 2017) explores the medieval Chinese book Xinding Sanli tu (Newly Determined Illustrations to the Ritual Classics) and its impact on Chinese material culture. The long overlooked book served as a guide both to the material culture of the Classics and to the design of Confucian ritual paraphernalia in post-classical, imperial China. In Chinese, the concept of ritual (li) is more broadly defined than in English, encompassing not only rites but also etiquette and proper conduct according to rank and station. Until the early twentieth century, most Chinese regarded Confucian rules of behavior and ritual as the moral norm. The government, meanwhile, saw them as an indispensable basis for the proper organization of society and the state, ensuring divine approbation, order, and the fundamental values of civilization.

Our Gallery educators are BGC Master’s students who have undergone intensive training to work with K-12 students and adapt tour content to meet classroom educators’ curricular goals and standards.

On the second Sunday of each month, Bard Graduate Center Gallery hosts a family-friendly open house. Inspired by the exhibitions currently on view, educator-led Gallery explorations, discussions, and hands-on workshops are designed to foster creative exchange between children and their adult partners. Bring a picnic lunch, and spend some time outside in Central Park after your visit!

Second Sundays is a monthly program that takes place from 11am-4pm. The next Second Sunday is on April 9th. Admission to the Gallery is free and hands-on workshops are $20 per family.