Arts of Africa

Mark your calendar for a reframing of how American museums present and celebrate African art. The Brooklyn Museum is home to one of the country’s largest and most renowned Arts of Africa collections. In fall 2027, following years of study, planning, and conservation, this dynamic collection goes on public view in transformed collection galleries. More than 300 works, spanning antiquity to today, will be showcased in a 6,400-square-foot wing that reflects the continent’s fluidity and complexity in both concept and design. And for the first time, the Arts of Africa galleries will join seamlessly with those dedicated to Egyptian art—connecting the entire continent and offering a panoramic perspective of Africa’s artistic legacy. By entering these revitalized spaces, which range in scale from soaring to intimate, you’ll recognize Africa’s global impact. Follow the movement of people, ideas, and materials along the continent’s corridors, whether the Sahara desert or the Atlantic Ocean, to trace the deep interconnections among African cultures and the world. Throughout this journey, you’ll encounter such highlights as Ethiopian qäqwami mäsqälät (processional crosses), a Yorùbá paka egúngún (masquerade costume), and one of the oldest Kuba ndop figures. Rich with storytelling and striking sight lines, the installation presents works from across the continent and its vibrant diaspora, illuminating centuries of creativity from ancient Egypt to contemporary New York.