"New York Proud" is a narrative shift and public art campaign that reaffirms the indispensable role of immigrants in shaping New York's identity through a living and growing collection of portraits and stories.

This project serves as a reminder that immigrants are not only integral to our past but essential to our future, driving innovation, creativity, and progress in every corner of our state.

By centering these narratives, viewers are encouraged to reflect upon the contributions of immigrants to our social, cultural and economic life, while recognizing our shared identities as New Yorkers. We hope the project plays a role in ensuring our city remains a beacon of hope, progress, diversity and inclusion into the future.

Find an Exhibit Near You

New York City

Touring the Five Boroughs:

Flatiron South Plaza (Manhattan)
Exhibition Dates: August 26 – October 1

The Plaza at 300 Ashland (Brooklyn)
Exhibition Dates: October 2 – November 6

Van Cortlandt Park Track, 5970 Broadway (The Bronx)
Exhibition Dates: October 16 – November 17

Queens (Location TBC)
Exhibition Dates: September 15 – October 15

St. George Staten Island Ferry Terminal (Staten Island)
Exhibition Dates: Now until September 31

Previous Photoville locations:

Manhattan: Times Square (44th-45th St, Broadway Pedestrian Plaza)
Brooklyn (co-presentation with Downtown Brooklyn Partnership): 300 Ashland Place, Brooklyn
Queens: Hunter’s Point South Park (Center Blvd in Long Island City)
Bronx: Starlight Park, 1490 Sheridan Blvd, Bronx, NY 10459

These installations would not have been possible without our partners at Photoville, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, Times Square Alliance, and Two Trees Management Co.

#RochesterProud

Rochester

For the first time the “New York Proud” expanded its scope to an area outside of New York City. While we hoped to engage Rochester residents to participate in a similar public art campaign as our New York City effort, we found that immigrant residents we approached were too fearful to participate, and worried about negative consequences of public exposure for themselves or their families. Rather than abandon the effort, we pursued a visual campaign to bring visibility to the essential role of immigrants across Rochester without using any portraiture. From bus tails to billboards, the campaign centers immigrants as essential to Rochester’s communities and future success.

“Rochester Proud”is an affirmation of the feeling of belonging that immigrant residents have for the city they call home.

Project Lead

New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC)
The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella policy and advocacy organization representing over 200 immigrant and refugee rights groups throughout New York. The NYIC not only establishes a forum for immigrant groups to voice their concerns, but also provides a platform for collective action to drive positive social change. Our mission is to unite immigrants, members, and allies so all New Yorkers can thrive.

In Partnership With

F.Y. Eye
F.Y. Eye is a nonprofit social impact media organization revolutionizing communications through the power of media, community, and art. Our work is rooted in collaboration and dedicated to increasing equitable access to information. We believe that by supporting an informed public, we build a stronger democracy that reflects the values and aspirations of all.

Oscar Castillo
Oscar Castillo is a documentary photographer, multimedia artist, and educator born in Caracas, Venezuela. His work primarily focuses on issues related to youth, identity, migration, cycles of political rupture and violence, as well as projects that promote social inclusion and community empowerment. His photography has been widely published by major media including Le Monde, The New Yorker, The New York Times, TIME Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal. He has exhibited internationally and received awards and fellowships from Aperture / Paris Photo, the Diane Dammeyer Foundation, the Eugene Smith Grant, the Magnum Foundation, the Onassis Foundation, World Press Photo, and the Tim Hetherington Visionary Award, among others. His collaborative photobook Esos Que Saben about youth, incarceration, and reintegration in Venezuela has been recognized with a Mention of Honor at PhotoEspaña 2023, shortlisted by Aperture / Paris Photo 2022, and named one of TIME Magazine’s 20 Photobooks of the Year. The book is also part of the photobook collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Artist Statement:
This project is a celebration of the mosaic of people, cultures, talents, stories and countries of origin that make New York and New Yorkers so special. I am proud to share the portraits of a wide array of hard working New Yorkers to contribute to an increased understanding of our immigrant communities and their contributions to our city’s growth and success. In the middle of these troubled times, this project calls for more understanding and inclusion of these often marginalized sectors of our society, and to uplift the important contributions of millions of immigrants that make New York a unique place.

Support Provided By

This project would not have been possible without the support of Unbound Philanthropy, NYCLU, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Additional support provided by Photoville, Flatiron NoMad Partnership, NYC Parks, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, and Two Trees Management Co.

We would also like to thank Joshua Rashaad McFadden and Dulce Aguilar for their support on the Rochester Proud campaign.

With Gratitude to

We are deeply grateful to the organizations that helped us bring the community together to photograph immigrant New Yorkers, including 32BJ, Afrikana, La Colmena, Los Deliveristas Unidos, The People’s Theater, Worker’s Justice Project,

We are deeply thankful to the New Yorkers who shared their stories and portraits for this year’s campaign, including Adama with her children, Andriy, Barbara, April, Armando, Ei Khine, Father James, Francesca, Gricelda, Jose, Josh, Laura, Lena, Marco, Maxi, Michael, Mino, Nasim, Nesrine, Sinny, Valeriia, Valeriya, and Zahid. We are honored by their time, trust, and contributions to this project.

Project Lead

New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC)
The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella policy and advocacy organization representing over 200 immigrant and refugee rights groups throughout New York. The NYIC not only establishes a forum for immigrant groups to voice their concerns, but also provides a platform for collective action to drive positive social change. Our mission is to unite immigrants, members, and allies so all New Yorkers can thrive.

In Partnership With

F.Y. Eye
F.Y. Eye is a nonprofit social impact media organization revolutionizing communications through the power of media, community, and art. Our work is rooted in collaboration and dedicated to increasing equitable access to information. We believe that by supporting an informed public, we build a stronger democracy that reflects the values and aspirations of all.

The Opportunity Agenda
The Opportunity Agenda (TOA) is a non-profit narrative shift organization committed to transforming the way people discuss and view social issues to advance racial justice and promote a multiracial democracy. We collaborate with a prestigious network of experts, advocates, artists, and communicators to conduct groundbreaking research, develop essential tools, and create compelling stories that inspire change. Our vision is an inclusive America, where just policies ensure everyone has an equal voice and an equal opportunity to thrive.

Oscar Castillo
Oscar Castillo is a documentary photographer, multimedia artist, and educator born in Caracas, Venezuela. His work primarily focuses on issues related to youth, identity, migration, cycles of political rupture and violence, as well as projects that promote social inclusion and community empowerment. His photography has been widely published by major media including Le Monde, The New Yorker, The New York Times, TIME Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal. He has exhibited internationally and received awards and fellowships from Aperture / Paris Photo, the Diane Dammeyer Foundation, the Eugene Smith Grant, the Magnum Foundation, the Onassis Foundation, World Press Photo, and the Tim Hetherington Visionary Award, among others. His collaborative photobook Esos Que Saben about youth, incarceration, and reintegration in Venezuela has been recognized with a Mention of Honor at PhotoEspaña 2023, shortlisted by Aperture / Paris Photo 2022, and named one of TIME Magazine’s 20 Photobooks of the Year. The book is also part of the photobook collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Artist Statement:
This project is a celebration of the mosaic of people, cultures, talents, stories and countries of origin that make New York and New Yorkers so special. I am proud to share the portraits of a wide array of hard working New Yorkers to contribute to an increased understanding of our immigrant communities and their contributions to our city’s growth and success. In the middle of these troubled times, this project calls for more understanding and inclusion of these often marginalized sectors of our society, and to uplift the important contributions of millions of immigrants that make New York a unique place.

Support Provided By

This project would not have been possible without the generous support of Trinity Church Wall Street Philanthropies, Unbound Philanthropy, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

With Gratitude to

We are deeply grateful to the organizations that helped us bring the community together to photograph immigrant New Yorkers, including the African Communities Together, Arab American Association of New York, Brooklyn Public Library, Caribbean Equality Project, Carroll Gardens Association, GrowNYC, La Colmena, Queens Public Library, Street Vendor Project, and many others who reached out to their members and networks.

Finally, this project would not have been possible without the participation of Adriana, Ahmed, Antonio, Bruneth, Carlos, Carolina, Cecilia, Charon, Deepthi, Diana, Edwin, Fatima, Fatrin, Fayjur, Guadalupe, Hina, Hugo, Javier, Joaquin, Julia, Kimberly, Lausky, Macarena, Marie Rose, Mayowa, Mayra, Mirtha, Naho, Nella, Olivia, Peter, Reginald, Sarahi, Selina, Taiseer, and Thanu. We are forever grateful to them for their time and trust in us.

As we look ahead to 2026, Immigrants Are New York will continue to grow as a living, evolving archive of immigrant stories, portraits, and community power. Each year we expand our reach by bringing in new collaborators, amplifying new voices, and deepening our partnerships across New York state.

The campaign’s future will include:

New portraits and stories that reflect the diversity of New York’s immigrant communities.
Expanded partnerships with artists, cultural organizations, and community groups who can help us share these narratives widely.
Deeper public engagement, from exhibitions and events to digital activations that connect more New Yorkers to the lived experiences of their immigrant neighbors.

Our vision is for Immigrants Are New York to become a long-standing tradition and archive, reminding generations to come that the strength, creativity, and resilience of immigrants are at the heart of New York state.

We welcome future partners, funders, and participants to join us in this growing effort. Together, we can ensure that every New Yorker sees themselves reflected in the story of our state.

Find an Exhibit Near You

New York City

Touring the Five Boroughs:

​Previous Photoville locations:

Manhattan: Times Square (44th-45th St, Broadway Pedestrian Plaza)

Brooklyn (co-presentation with Downtown Brooklyn Partnership): 300 Ashland Place, Brooklyn

Queens: Hunter’s Point South Park (Center Blvd in Long Island City)

Bronx: Starlight Park, 1490 Sheridan Blvd, Bronx, NY 10459​

#RochesterProud

Rochester

Project Lead​

In Partnership With

​

Support Provided By

With Gratitude to​

We are deeply grateful to the organizations that helped us bring the community together to photograph immigrant New Yorkers, including 32BJ, Afrikana, La Colmena, Los Deliveristas Unidos, The People’s Theater, Worker’s Justice Project,

Previous Photoville locations:

Bronx: Starlight Park, 1490 Sheridan Blvd, Bronx, NY 10459

Project Lead

With Gratitude to