Celebrating the City 2026

EventIn Person

Recognizing excellence across the municipal arts of architecture, landscape architecture, preservation, and public art

Join the Municipal Art Society at the Museum of the City of New York for Celebrating the City, an evening recognizing the people and projects that shape the future of New York. The event afterparty will officially kick off the 2026 Jane’s Walk NYC Festival.

Admission includes the ceremony and afterparty. Discounts are available for MAS and Museum of the City of New York members, and NY City and State government employees.

The Ceremony

The ceremony will present the 2025 Brendan Gill Prize and the 25th year of the MASterworks Design Awards. This year’s honorees have been announced in The Architect’s Newspaper.

Speakers and Presenters

Julie Menin (Speaker, New York City Council)
Justin Davidson (Architecture and Classical-Music Critic, New York Magazine)
Justin Garrett Moore (Program Director, Humanities in Place, Mellon Foundation)
Tina Vaz (Director, MTA Arts & Design, and MAS Board of Directors)
Cassim Shepard (Urbanist, Filmmaker, and Author)

Read more about this year’s Brendan Gill Prize and MASterworks recipients below.

Afterparty and Jane’s Walk NYC Kickoff

Following the awards ceremony, stay for the Jane’s Walk NYC Kickoff! Meet this year’s Jane’s Walk leaders, enjoy after-hours access to Museum of the City of New York exhibits, and continue celebrating our city’s history, culture, and stories with music and food from some of NYC’s best local places.

Kickoff remarks will be delivered by Dario Calmese, MAS Brendan Gill Prize juror and founder and CEO of the Institute of Black Imagination.

Jane’s Walk Kickoff tickets cost $75 and are available here. Walk leaders for the 2026 Jane’s Walk NYC are invited to attend at no charge (RSVP required).

Please direct any questions to events@mas.org.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Connect your brand with this celebration of the municipal arts and reach our audience of leaders from architecture, real estate, urban planning, city agencies, and cultural institutions.

Celebrating the City Sponsorships

Please direct any sponsorship questions to Director of Development Sarah Celentano at scelentano@mas.org.

Tuesday, April 21
6:00 PM — 10:00 PM

Reception: 6:00 PM
Ceremony: 6:30 PM
Afterparty: 8:00-10:00 PM

Museum of the City of New York
1220 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10029

Tickets:
Member: $125
Non-member: $150

Buy Tickets
  • “The Land Between Open Water" (2024) © Shervone Neckles, NYCT Westchester Sq-East Tremont Av. Photo: Jason Mandella
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  • “The Land Between Open Water" (2024) © Shervone Neckles, NYCT Westchester Sq-East Tremont Av. Photo: Jason Mandella
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  • “The Land Between Open Water" (2024) © Shervone Neckles, NYCT Westchester Sq-East Tremont Av. Photo: Jason Mandella
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  • “The Land Between Open Water" (2024) © Shervone Neckles, NYCT Westchester Sq-East Tremont Av. Photo: Jason Mandella
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About the Brendan Gill Prize

Established in 1987 by MAS Board Members Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Helen Tucker, and Margot Wellington, the Brendan Gill Prize is given each year to the creator of a specific work—a book, essay, musical composition, play, painting, sculpture, architectural design, film, or choreographic piece—that best captures the spirit and energy of New York City. Learn more about the prize >

2025 Honoree

Shervone Neckles for The Land Between Open Water

The public artwork is a powerful tribute to the Siwanoy people and the history of the Bronx commissioned by MTA Arts & Design for the Westchester Sq-East Tremont Avenue subway station. Learn more about the work >

  • Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center. Photo Credit: Alexander Severin.
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  • The Studio Museum in Harlem. Photo Credit: Dror Baldinger
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  • Davis Center at the Harlem Meer. Photo Credit: Central Park Conservancy.
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  • Kelly Park Playground. Photo Credit: JR Cruz
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  • The Frick. Photo credit: Joe Coscia Jr.
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  • Waldorf Astoria New York. Lucas Blair Simpson © SOM (before), Dave Burk © SOM (after)
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  • The Refinery at Domino. Photo Credit: Max Touhey
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  • Manhattan Pet Adoption Center. Photo Credit: Alex Fradkin
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  • DUMBO Archway Plaza Bleachers. Photo Credit: Noemie Trusty
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  • Gowanus Lowlands. Photo Credit: SCAPE/Ty Cole
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  • 'Exodus and Dance' Restoration at Kingsborough Houses. Photo Credit: New York City Housing Authority
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  • Gotham Park. Photo Credit: Jay Maldonado
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  • PENN 2. Photo Credit: Magda Biernat
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  • Plaza 33. Photo Credit: Michael Moran
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About the MASterworks Design Awards

Established in 2001, the MASterworks Design Awards recognize projects completed in the previous year that exemplify excellence across the municipal arts of architecture, landscape architecture, preservation, and public art. From major civic landmarks to community centers, this year’s projects demonstrate that good design benefits all New Yorkers, contributing to the city’s resiliency, cultural vibrancy, and public health, so that we can work toward a city that is not only affordable but thriving. Learn more about the awards >

2026 HONOREES

Best New Building

The Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center by Studio Gang with NYC Parks and the Department of Design and Construction
Studio Museum in Harlem by Adjaye Associates and Cooper Robertson/Corgan

Best New Urban Landscape

The Davis Center at the Harlem Meer by Susan T Rodriguez | Architecture and Mitchell Giurgola with the Central Park Conservancy
Kelly Park Playground by NYC Parks

Best Restoration

The Frick Collection by Selldorf Architects and Beyer Blinder Belle
Waldorf Astoria New York by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Best Adaptive Reuse

The Refinery at Domino by Practice for Architecture & Urbanism (PAU) and Field Operations
The Manhattan Pet Adoption Center by Studio Joseph with the Department of Design and Construction

Best New Urban Amenity

The DUMBO Archway Plaza Bleachers by AECOM with Department of Design and Construction, Department of Transportation, and Dumbo BID

Best Environmental Innovation

Gowanus Lowlands by SCAPE, Gowanus Canal Conservancy, and Department of City Planning

Best Public Art Restoration

Exodus and Dance frieze by Richard Barthé at the Kingsborough Houses restored by Jemco Electrical Contractors and EverGreene Architectural Arts, with the New York City Housing Authority

Special Recognition

Gotham Park by Brooklyn Bridge Manhattan Inc. d/b/a Gotham Park Inc. and the New York City Department of Transportation
PENN 2 by MdeAS Architects and Plaza 33 by MNLA

Supporters