May
Irises bloom in May. Over at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, you can see the snow iris in all its glory right now. Here at the Brooklyn Museum, you can see the spectacular Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses, which opens on May 16.
Inspired by the natural world, Iris van Herpen’s creations will take you on a journey from the ocean’s depths to the universe’s outer reaches. Explore the fluidity of water, the physics of motion, the perception of sound and light, and nature’s profound interconnectedness in this immersive fashion exhibition.
First Saturday: Spring Tide
Saturday, May 2, 5–10 pm
Behold spring—a time of renewal and cherry blossoms—with art, literature, and performances from the Asian American and Pacific Islander diasporas in Brooklyn and beyond. The AAPI Heritage Month edition of First Saturdays takes its theme from both seasonal transitions and the Rubin Museum Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, a place to learn, reflect, and seek inspiration.
Always free—just be sure to register.
2026 Brooklyn Artists Ball After Party
Monday, May 11, 9 pm–12 am
The Brooklyn Museum’s biggest night is back! With Swizz Beatz in the DJ booth and curated cocktails on the menu, this is the party everyone will be talking about.
General admission tickets are sold out, but a limited number of Sponsor tickets are still available. Purchasing a Sponsor ticket goes even further to support our mission. In thanks for your generosity, Sponsor-level guests will receive an exclusive invitation to a Young Leadership Council event.
Pop-Up Performance: Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra
Sunday, May 17, 2–4 pm
Drop by to hear music selections performed by members of the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra, the Museum’s orchestra in residence.
LGBTQ+ Teen Night
Friday, May 29, 5–7:30 pm
Celebrate art, queer activism, identity, and allyship at our 13th annual LGBTQ+ Teen Night! Created by and for teens, this free evening will be full of art-making, performances, and much more.
Calling young artists!
Summer Art Camp (Ages 11–13)
Set out on an expressive adventure this summer. Inspired by our exhibitions and collections, campers will discover renowned artists, experiment with various mediums, and try out new techniques—all while bonding with fellow art-lovers and having a blast. After five days of art-making, camp concludes with Open Studio, where we’ll showcase our masterpieces and let imagination take center stage.
Museum on Wheels is hitting the road again, bringing art, culture, and hands-on discovery directly to Brooklyn neighborhoods. This month, we’re headed to Downtown Brooklyn and Brooklyn Bridge Park. See you there?
Snag a limited-edition print by Takashi Murakami—the result of a special collaboration between the Brooklyn Museum, Avant Arte, and the artist.
Working closely with Murakami, Avant Arte’s fine-art printmaking studio in London has translated four of his most iconic archival paintings into multilayer prints with silkscreen finishing.
The prints are available in limited editions of 300, priced at €700 ($820) and signed by Murakami. The artist will generously donate the proceeds to support the Brooklyn Museum.
Enter before May 27 at 9 am for your chance to own one of these rare prints.
First Saturdays are supported by the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. Made possible by the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation and the Wallace Foundation Community Programs Fund, established by the Wallace Foundation.
Special thanks to the supporting sponsors of the 2026 Museum on Wheels season, Brooklyn Org and TF Cornerstone.
From the top: Iris van Herpen. Hydrozoa Dress, from the Sensory Seas collection, 2020. PETG and glass organza. Collaborator: Shelee Carruthers. Model: Cynthia Arrebola. (Photo: David Ụzọchukwu); The Brooklyn Nomads. (Photo: Geve Bene); Brooklyn Artists Ball After Party, 2024. (Photo: Matthew Carasella Photography); Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra, 2024. (Photo: Kolin Mendez); Teen Staff posing with drag artist Grace Period at LGBTQ+ Teen Night: Past, Presence, and Future, 2025. (Photo: Kadar R. Small); Summer Camp, 2023. (Photo: Danny Perez); Museum on Wheels at the Brooklyn Museum, September 2024. (Photo: Paula Abreu Pita); ©2026 Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
