Pratt Center Celebrates 60 Years in New Exhibition
For six decades, Pratt Center for Community Development has partnered with grassroots organizations across New York City to fight for housing, climate, and economic justice.
From hand-drawn maps and typewritten reports to today’s digital storytelling and data-driven tools, our work has always been grounded in the power of community knowledge and design.
This fall, we’re opening the vaults. On display through October 29, our newest exhibition traces the evolution of Pratt Center’s work through archival materials, campaign visuals, and behind-the-scenes ephemera to show what community planning really looks like—on the ground and across generations.
To mark the opening of the exhibition, we held an intimate reception with longtime friends, former staff, funders, and community partners. We were also honored to hear from four incredible speakers:
Ron Shiffman, founding director of Pratt Center, who reflected on the civil rights roots of our work and the importance of community self-determination
Pat Swann, former staff and longtime supporter, who shared memories of leading our community economic development internship and how it shaped her career.
Michelle Neugebeur, executive director of Cypress Hills LDC, who spoke about our decades-long partnership and the consequent housing and community spaces that were produced.
Frances Bronet, president of Pratt Institute, who highlighted Pratt Center’s enduring legacy and her personal alignment with our mission
As we celebrate 60 years of community-led planning, we continue to build on the vision that started it all: a more just, equitable, and sustainable New York City, shaped by the people who call it home.
The 60 Years of Pratt Center exhibition will be on display on the third floor of Pratt’s Brooklyn Campus Library, until October 29th.
We will be hosting an Open Access Day at Pratt’s Brooklyn Campus Library on October 9, from 4:00–7:00 pm. RSVP here.
See more photos from the opening reception below.
