When BRIC closed its doors over two years ago in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a difficult moment for many of us. As an organization so deeply embedded in the lives of our community, not being “open” for Brooklynites to drop by, utilize our resources, hang out on the stoop, or wander our galleries felt antithetical to our identity.
For the past couple of years, much of our work has continued online – and some of our programming will still be available virtually in the future. But today, I couldn’t be more thrilled to share that BRIC House will reopen to the public this fall.
Beginning Sept. 12, our community can once again gather throughout BRIC House seven days a week. We’re reopening our lobby cafe, opening up the doors of our media center, and welcoming you into our galleries without needing a reservation.
BRIC is – and always has been – a place for everyone. Being an “open space” where our community can hold meetings, hang out after school, or access media tools and resources has always been integral to the BRIC mission. We’re proud to be an authentically diverse organization that exists by and for Brooklynites of all backgrounds. As we move towards more fully reopening, we’re committed to continuing to create space for all people to access the worlds of art and media as tools for enjoyment, personal growth, and community building.
On Sept. 21, we’ll celebrate the reopening of BRIC House at the public reception for our fall exhibition Rodrigo Valenzuela: New Works for a Post Worker’s World. Throughout the fall, all of our programming will also return to BRIC House, including BRIC JazzFest, our #BHeard Town Hall Series, Media Maker Weekend, and our monthly Brooklyn Poetry Slam. As an alumni of BRIC’s programming, I know how transformative the experience of gathering with other artists and media makers can be, and how BRIC House serves as a crucial incubator for moments of creative collision. We’re honored to have the privilege of curating these in-person experiences for our community once again.
I often think of BRIC as Brooklyn’s Town Square – a place where our community can experience culture, exchange views, learn new skills, and relax as their authentic selves in a safe environment. This core aspect of BRIC’s identity never went away, but there’s something truly remarkable about gathering to share these moments with each other in person. As we gear up to open our doors once again, I’m delighted to invite you back to BRIC House in celebration of this transformative moment for our institution, and hope you will join us as we continue to chart the path forward in building Brooklyn’s creative future.
Join BRIC in celebrating our reopening on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at the opening reception for Rogrido Valenzuela: New Works For A Post Worker’s World and Sophia-Yemisi Adeyemo: Earth & Iron: Archival Visions of Land and Struggle. RSVP here.
