New York City Culture

New York City is often hailed for its distinct and eclectic culture. From the glamor of Broadway to the grit of hip hop, the City That Never Sleeps offers an endless array of diverse cultural scenes.

One of the most significant cultural movements that occurred in New York City is the Harlem Renaissance. Originating in the Harlem neighborhood, it moved to celebrate the culture of Black America. The Renaissance covered the broad aspects of the cultural atmosphere, from music to visual arts, and also exerted vast influence in the social sciences.

New York City is also the home ground of what came to be the Beat Generation – American writers who emerged in the 1950s ad 60s with a flair for non-conformist ideas and spontaneity. Some of the well-known Beat writers are Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg.

The performing arts is also one of the defining avenues of New York City culture. Broadway of course is easily on the forefront when it comes to professional theater. From Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals to classic plays from George Bernard Shaw, this Theater District of New York City has seen it all.

One of the most ubiquitous expression of culture in New York City is public art. The city even allocates a percentage of its budget for art works in public buildings. In the 1970s, graffiti art celebrated its heyday in New York City.