The first-ever exhibition at The New York Public Library to explore the history of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) immigration to NYC, Niyū Yūrk highlights how the city has shaped the lives, identities, and creative practices of MENA communities, artists, and writers, while celebrating their enduring contributions to the city’s cultural landscape and place in global culture. From Little Syria in Manhattan to Yemeni bodegas in Brooklyn, from Armenian and Arab nightclubs along Eighth Avenue to community music festivals on Atlantic Avenue, and from women’s activism and advocacy groups to experimental composers and playwrights like Halim El-Dabh and Reza Abdoh, the exhibition shows how these rich stories are preserved within NYPL’s collections.

Niyū Yūrk explores the often overlooked history of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) immigration to New York City, from the first waves in the late 19th century to the present. The exhibition highlights how New York City has shaped the lives, identities, and creative practices of MENA communities, artists, and writers. It also emphasizes their enduring contributions to the city’s cultural landscape and place in global culture.

Through an array of materials—including local newspapers, rare books, archival documents, prints, artists’ books, photographs, music records, and film—the exhibition showcases how these voices have been preserved and presented. Niyū Yūrk creates a dynamic dialogue across time, illustrating the evolving nature of MENA migration to the city as well as the Library’s role in documenting this history. While reflecting on new directions in collecting practices, it also aims to address gaps in those practices and envision a more inclusive archival future.

This exhibition is organized by The New York Public Library and curated by Hiba Abid, Curator for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies.