Woody Guthrie’s influence as a musician, artist, and activist is the focus of a new exhibition at New York University. “Woody Guthrie: What This Guitar Might Do” will be on display from March 30 through May 15, 2026, at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music in Brooklyn.
The exhibition presents more than 130 reproductions of cartoons, photographs, posters, and archival materials from the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It is organized in partnership with Woody Guthrie Publications and NYU’s Arts & Impact Initiative. The exhibit highlights Guthrie’s multidisciplinary work and his efforts to support working people and promote economic justice and social change.
Throughout the exhibition’s run, NYU will host concerts and panel discussions. A featured event will take place on April 21 with Chuck D of Public Enemy in conversation with musician JD Samson. Bill Stepheny will moderate this discussion.
The gallery includes posters from Guthrie’s performances and causes he supported during World War II, such as anti-Nazi rallies. Visitors can also view facsimiles of his notebooks, songs, lyrics, and six guitars donated by Fender.
A central feature is an interactive area inspired by Guthrie’s former apartment on Coney Island. Here, visitors can draw or write and play one of the guitars available. Informal concerts are planned for this space during the exhibition.
“It feels especially meaningful to reflect on Guthrie’s time in New York, where the art he created was playful, observant, enduring, and grounded in care for others. NYU’s Arts & Impact Initiative is guided by that same sensibility. We see the arts as not separate from the world, but deeply connected to how we learn and live in our communities,” said Elise Cappella, vice provost for university-wide initiatives and graduate education. “Our students brought this exhibit to life, carrying forward his example through their own creativity and conviction.”
Nicholas S. Sansano, chair of the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music said: “Guthrie used all forms of creative practice, not only music, to get his message across. Including a space for visitors to sit and actually create something was important to the exhibit’s design and message.”
He added: “Visitors can enter and pick up a guitar, write a poem, draw a picture, or simply sit and share stories. The exhibit is meant to affirm the belief that ideas coming out of living rooms and kitchens have more power than those coming from boardrooms. Change starts at home.”
The curators are Audrey Alexander, William Bigby, Bea Esteves Mendez, and Ava Noland—students who worked under Gallatin Professor Keith Miller along with Anna Canoni (Guthrie’s granddaughter).
Anna Canoni commented: “What a delight it has been to work with this class of NYU students, examining Woody Guthrie’s story and continued relevance in today’s landscape. The students made connections in original, creative ways… As he once wrote: ‘Watch the kids… You’ll go higher… So let’s listen to them now.’”
Woody Guthrie was born in Oklahoma in 1912 before moving through Texas and California to New York City in 1940. He wrote over 3,000 songs—many never recorded—and performed at events supporting working people throughout his career. His song “This Land is Your Land” was written while living in Manhattan; it later became associated with civil rights movements.
Keith Miller stated: “The exhibition is a great example of the many talented faculty students staff we have at NYU… Working as a curatorial advisor on this exhibition… has been an exciting way to really activate the curatorial and pedagogical process.”
The institute will also host “Woody Wednesdays,” featuring acoustic performances by students or alumni on April 15th/22nd/29th between 6–8 p.m., free for public attendance.
Admission to “Woody Guthrie: What This Guitar Might Do” is free; hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
NYU’s Arts & Impact Initiative seeks to use its arts programs as tools for social change within communities.
The Clive Davis Institute offers a four-year BFA focused on artistic innovation intersecting technology with music business entrepreneurship.
According to its official website, New York University’s Stern School of Business promotes responsible leadership alongside societal contributions through ethics-focused initiatives integrated into curricula/research; features modern learning spaces; operates globally via partnerships/alumni networks; aims for innovative leadership development; remains under executive academic guidance; forms part of NYU—a private research institution with global reach.
