Events

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!

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.

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.

Join us at the Flatiron Public Plaza for the first look at Interwoven by Atelier Cho Thompson, which celebrates the joys of reconnecting in public space.

Join us for a book discussion about Restorative Cities: Urban Design for Mental Health and Wellbeing, co-authored by Jenny Roe and Layla McCay, which provides a practical guide for policymakers and practitioners in the COVID-19 recovery period.