Events
Events
Upcoming Events
December 12, 2023
Person Place Thing with Kia Weatherspoon
Humorist and four-time Emmy Award-winner Randy Cohen joins us again to host his live podcast, an interview show based on the idea that people are most engaging when they speak not about themselves, but something they care about. Guests talk about one person, one place, and one thing that are important to them. The result? Surprising stories from great talkers.
We're delighted to welcome Person Place Thing back to Van Alen Institute with guest speaker Kia Weatherspoon, interior designer and design justice advocate.
Learn more and get tickets!
December 16, 2023
GLOwanus Giveaway
GLOwanus is a public art project designed to inform Gowanus residents about water quality in the Gowanus Canal. Join us in December for the official launch of the newly-designed GLOwanus light at our neighborhood giveaway event.
Get a free GLOwanus light to display in your home, office, or business. The GLOwanus team will also lead a discussion about water conditions in the Canal and ongoing government-led clean up actions. Hear and share ideas for improving water quality in Gowanus and holding public officials accountable in the future.
Learn more and RSVP for free!
Past Events
September 30, 2023
Van Alen Block Party 2023
Free and open to the public, our annual Van Alen Block Party is a celebration of all things Gowanus — the vibrant, dynamic, and creative neighborhood we call home. Join us for an afternoon of music, performance, and family-friendly crafts and games.
Saturday, September 30, 1–6 pm
Bond Street between Union & Sackett, Brooklyn
See the full schedule!
July 25, 2023
Film Screening: Stories from Neighborhoods Now
Join us for this special film screening and conversation with filmmaker Kate Levy.
In 2022, Kate Levy documented the work of our Neighborhoods Now teams as they enlivened and programmed public space, provided support to small businesses, and envisioned thriving futures for their neighborhoods. Her series of short films captures a critical moment of recovery from the pandemic in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens.
Get tickets
April 6, 2023
Person Place Thing with Sreoshy Banerjea
Humorist and four-time Emmy Award-winner Randy Cohen joins us again to host his live podcast, an interview show based on the idea that people are most engaging when they speak not about themselves, but something they care about. Guests talk about one person, one place, and one thing that are important to them. The result? Surprising stories from great talkers.
We're delighted to welcome Person Place Thing back to Van Alen Institute with guest speaker Sreoshy Banerjea, Executive Director of the NYC Public Design Commission.
Learn more and get tickets!
October 22, 2022
Van Alen Block Party 2022
NEW DATE: October 22! Join us at this year’s Van Alen Block Party — a day of food, music, and dancing in the streets! We all need joyful, welcoming public spaces that truly serve our communities. For us, that work starts rights here in Gowanus, where we’ve put down roots.
Free and open to the public, the Van Alen Block Party showcases the creative energy of Gowanus and celebrates the power of bringing people together.
April 30, 2022
Gowanus CSO Installation Design Workshop
Brainstorm, draw and collage ideas to shape our Gowanus CSO Installation! Using light fixtures, boards, paint, fabrics, plastic and/or other recyclable materials, we'll roll up our sleeves and flex our creative, artistic muscle.
Learn more and RSVP.
