New York City’s Museum of Modern Art is set to transport visitors through the vibrant history of animation with its new exhibition, ‘It’s Alive! A Century of Animation from the Collection.’ Opening on August 1, 2026, the extensive showcase is slated to run until summer 2027, offering a deep dive into an art form that has captivated audiences for generations.
The exhibition features over 200 works created between 1908 and 2020, including original production artwork and films from MoMA’s extensive collection. A central aim of ‘It’s Alive!’ is to highlight animation’s significant artistic value, meticulously tracing its evolution across commercial, independent, and avant-garde productions. A notable emphasis is placed on New York’s crucial role as a hub for innovative animation throughout its rich history.
More than 35 artists and filmmakers are represented, showcasing the breadth of animation’s development. Pioneers such as Winsor McCay, Otto Messmer, and Dave Fleischer are featured for their foundational work in establishing character-based animation during the silent era. The exhibition also spotlights influential New York-based independent animators, including Jane Aaron, John Canemaker, Sally Cruikshank, Tissa David, David Ehrlich, George Griffin, Emily and Faith Hubley, Candy Kugel, Jeff Scher, and Michael Sporn.
‘It’s Alive!’ delves into the rich history of handmade and experimental animation styles and techniques that predate the widespread use of digital technology. It explores how black-and-white line drawing persisted as a vital style through the pre-digital era, with the introduction of color in the 1930s and John Hubley’s design modernization in the 1950s influencing subsequent independent artists.
MoMA has a long-standing history of recognizing animation as an art form, having collected and exhibited animated works since its Department of Film was founded in 1935. The artists featured often balanced commissions for public television and MTV with their personal filmmaking, demonstrating animation’s far-reaching impact across fine art, film, illustration, and popular culture globally.
The exhibition was organized by Curator Ron Magliozzi, Curatorial Associate Francisco Valente, Senior Collections Manager Katie Trainor, and Collections Specialist Cara Shatzman. In conjunction with the gallery exhibition, a companion theatrical retrospective of animated shorts and features from MoMA’s collection is also being presented, offering an immersive cinematic experience alongside the visual display.