In 2025, The New Yorker celebrates its 100th anniversary with a series of special events and exhibitions throughout New York City. These commemorations offer a unique opportunity to delve into the magazine’s rich history and cultural impact.
Major Exhibition at the New York Public Library
The centerpiece of the centennial celebrations is the exhibition titled “A Century of The New Yorker” at the New York Public Library (NYPL). Opening on February 22, 2025, this year-long exhibition is located in the Rayner Special Collections Wing and Print Gallery of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. It showcases the magazine’s evolution from its founding in 1925 to its current status as a cultural icon.
Visitors can expect to see a diverse array of artifacts, including original manuscripts, correspondence, photographs, and artwork. Highlights include the prospectus for The New Yorker from 1924, original artwork by Rea Irvin for the first issue, W.H. Auden’s handwritten draft of “Refugee Blues,” and Truman Capote’s typescript draft of “In Cold Blood” with revisions by editor William Shawn. These items provide an intimate look into the magazine’s editorial process and its contributors’ creative journeys.
The exhibition is curated by Julie Golia, Associate Director and Charles J. Liebman, Senior Curator of Manuscripts, and Julie Carlsen, Assistant Curator of the Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature. Their expertise ensures a comprehensive and engaging experience for visitors. For more information, visit the NYPL’s official page on the exhibition.
New York Public Library
Library After Hours: A Century of The New Yorker
To complement the main exhibition, the NYPL is hosting a special event titled “The Library After Hours: A Century of The New Yorker” on February 28, 2025. This evening event offers extended access to the exhibition, along with curator talks, trivia sessions, live music in the Rose Main Reading Room, and screenings of 16mm films curated from the library’s Reserve Film and Video Collection. Attendees can also participate in crafts and coloring activities inspired by the library’s collections. Tickets are available on a pay-what-you-wish basis, with a suggested donation of $15. This event is an excellent opportunity to engage with the exhibition in a lively, after-hours setting.
Drawn From The New Yorker: A Centennial Celebration
The Society of Illustrators is honoring The New Yorker‘s artistic legacy with an exhibition titled “Drawn From The New Yorker: A Centennial Celebration.” Running from January 8 to May 3, 2025, this exhibition features over 130 cartoons, celebrating the magazine’s artists from the past century. Curated by New Yorker cartoonist Liza Donnelly, the exhibition offers insight into the magazine’s unique visual style and the artists who have contributed to its pages. An opening reception is scheduled for January 16, 2025, from 5-9 pm, preceded by a tour of the exhibition from 4-5 pm. Additional events include a conversation on the magazine’s history with Liza Donnelly and Michael Maslin on February 13, 2025, and a panel discussion with New Yorker cartoonists on March 6, 2025. These events provide a deeper understanding of the magazine’s visual storytelling and artistic contributions.
A sign for the New Yorker
Film Forum Presents: Tales from The New Yorker
Film enthusiasts can look forward to “Tales from The New Yorker,” a two-week film festival at Film Forum from February 21 to March 6, 2025. This festival showcases a selection of films inspired by New Yorker stories, including classics like “Brokeback Mountain,” “Citizen Kane,” “Meet Me in St. Louis,” and “Monkey Business.” The festival highlights the magazine’s influence on cinema and storytelling, offering audiences a chance to experience these narratives on the big screen. For screening schedules and ticket information, visit Film Forum’s official website.
Special Anniversary Issue and Anthologies
In conjunction with the centennial celebrations, The New Yorker has released a special Anniversary Issue dated February 17 & 24, 2025. This issue features six different covers, including the original 1925 cover by Rea Irvin and new interpretations by artists such as Kerry James Marshall, Diana Ejaita, Anita Kunz, Camila Rosa, and Javier Mariscal. The issue includes new investigative reporting and pieces examining the personalities and ideas that have defined the magazine over the past century.
Additionally, on February 4, 2025, Knopf published two anthologies: “A Century of Fiction in The New Yorker,” edited by fiction editor Deborah Treisman, and “A Century of Poetry in The New Yorker,” edited by poetry editor Kevin Young. These collections gather both literary landmarks and overlooked gems from the magazine’s archives, offering readers a curated journey through its rich literary history.
The New Yorker
Upcoming Documentary on Netflix
Later in 2025, a feature-length documentary about The New Yorker is set to premiere on Netflix. Directed by Academy Award-winner Marshall Curry and produced by Marshall Curry Productions and Apatow Productions, the film examines the stories that define the magazine’s history and captures moments of journalism in the making. The documentary follows writers, editors, and staff members as they produce the special anniversary issue, providing viewers with an inside look at the magazine’s operations and editorial decisions.
City skyline from afar
Celebrating 100 Years of The New Yorker
The New Yorker‘s 100th anniversary in 2025 is packed with events and exhibitions that honor its legacy in journalism, literature, and art. From the major exhibition at the New York Public Library to special film screenings, cartoon showcases, and a new documentary, there are many ways to engage with the magazine’s century-long impact. Whether you’re a dedicated reader or just curious about its history, this is the perfect time to experience The New Yorker in a new way.
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