New Perspective on The New Thing

 

In 1966, Howard graduate student and community architect Topper Carew opened The New Thing Art & Architecture Center near the corner of 18th Street and Florida Avenue NW.   With a goal of building equity and providing opportunities for African-American architects and community planners to have a more direct and lasting impact in communities, Carew applied for grants, created design projects, offered free workshops, and worked to improve substandard housing in local neighborhoods.  Unlike anything else in Washington, DC, the New Thing brought together experts in the fields of music, art, writing, dancing, photography, and film to provide educational opportunities for the predominately Black youth of Adams Morgan and surrounding communities.  During its six-year run, The New Thing empowered DC youth in countless ways, innovated and integrated the arts scene, and left a lasting impact on those who were involved in its diverse and dynamic programming.

 

This is the second location of the exhibit, which was first shown at The American University, Katzen Art Center, February-March 2024.