“New York Proud” is a narrative shift and public art campaign that launched in 2024 reaffirming the indispensable role of immigrants in shaping New York City's identity through a living and growing collection of portraits and stories.
The project brings to life the stories of immigrant New Yorkers through a striking photo series of nearly two dozen portraits, now displayed in subway stations, bus shelters and public spaces throughout New York City during the months of September and October. With each portrait featuring people at their workplaces or in civic spaces, the campaign emphasizes the integral roles and contributions of immigrants to the city's cultural and economic landscape. “NY Proud” reaffirms the importance of immigration to the vitality and future of New York City.
To learn more about the NY Proud campaign, visit the campaign website here to meet some of the immigrant New Yorkers who make this city great.
Check out our Photoville pop-up public art exhibits:
- Times Square (Manhattan)
Exhibition Dates: Live Now through September 7 - Mill Pond Park (Bronx)
Exhibition Dates: September 10 - October 5 - Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Queens Museum)
Exhibition Dates: September 28 – November 2 - Ashland Place (Brooklyn)
Exhibition Dates: October 6 – October 28
Acknowledgments
The 2026 edition of New York Proud is a project of the New York Immigration Coalition, produced with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Brave of Us. Additional support provided by Photoville, Flatiron NoMad Partnership, NYC Parks, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, and Two Trees Management Co. We are deeply grateful for the involvement of every participant in the project, photographer Oscar B. Castillo, as well as our partners at FY Eye.
We are also deeply grateful to the organizations that helped us connect with participants in this project, including Asian American Arts Alliance, Emma's Torch, La Colmena, and New immigrant Community Empowerment.