Art and Culture
New York is one of the most culturally rich cities in USA. The culture of the city has been shaped over the years by the different immigration groups that have made the city their home. The city has evolved as one of the most important international centers for film, music, dance, theater, and visual art.
New York is the center for some of the most important literary movements in the world. The Harlem renaissance that led to the African American literary canon in the country, started from here. Abstract expressionism also has its roots in the city. The city nurtured Jewish American literature as well. One of the major groups in literature, The New York intellectuals who tried to bring together literature and Marxism are from the city. Another major group in literature, The Beat group of poets and writers was also founded in New York. The city has led to the setting up of the PEN American center which is a major international literary organization. Some of the most important literary journals including New York Quarterly, The Paris Review, n+1, and The New York Review of Books are headquartered in the city.
Many genres of music have also started from the city of New York. Hip hop, Punk and Jazz that is a rage the world over also began at the city. Many indie rock bands have also taken birth in the city including Interpol, The Strokes, Scissor Sisters, The Bravery, and They Might Be Giants. The American modern dance too evolved in the city.
New York is also an important center for films in the country. The first avant garde film of the country “Manhatta” was shot in the city. Theatre is also a vibrant form of art in the city. The 39 largest theaters in the city together are termed as “Broadway”. Theatre has developed with time and the city was responsible for the invention of the Broadway musical.
The city boasts of more than 2000 arts organizations and over 500 art galleries. Some of the major world famous cultural institutions are located in the city including Carnegie Hall and Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is the biggest performing arts center in the country. This includes the Jazz at Lincoln Center, The New York City Opera, The New York Philharmonic, The Metropolitan Opera, The Vivian Beaumont Theatre, The New York City Ballet, The Juilliard School and Alice Tully Hall.
New York is also home to a large number of museums. The world famous Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the important art museums in the world. There is also the Museum of modern art and the Brooklyn museum. The collection in these museums includes many artifacts from the ancient Egyptian items to the modern contemporary art. Besides these there are also many smaller art galleries such as Frick collection, The American Museum of Natural History, the Jewish museum of New York, El Museo del Barrio, Museum of the City of New York and many more. With so many forms of Art & Culture in the city, New York is definitely one of the cultural hubs of the country.