On Saturday, October 18, 2025, the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University celebrated its 20th anniversary, and the day couldn’t have been more perfect. The sun was out, the sky was clear, and the energy around the museum was unmistakably full of excitement and pride.
The day began with a private ribbon-cutting on the porch of the museum’s newly reimagined entryway. Museum Director Trevor Schoonmaker, Provost Alec Gallimore, and Museum Board Chair Nancy Nasher, each spoke about the Nasher’s incredible journey—how far it’s come in two decades, what it’s meant to the Duke and Durham communities, and where it’s headed next. After a few heartfelt words and a toast, guests turned their attention to the newly unveiled Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family Sculpture Garden, a beautifully redesigned space that’s already become a welcoming extension of the museum.
Later that day, the doors opened to the public, and a steady stream of visitors filled the museum and its surrounding grounds. More than 1000 guests came out to celebrate, including local families, Duke students and alumni, longtime supporters, and first-time visitors.
The NCCU Sound Machine Drumline amped up the energy with dynamic performances that gathered crowds throughout the day. Inside the museum, Curator of Contemporary Art Xuxa Rodríguez led guided tours of Everything Now All At Once, offering visitors a chance to connect more deeply with iconic works in the museum’s contemporary collection. There were also plenty of hands-on artmaking projects, as well as activations from Durham Public Library, Scrap Exchange, ZimZoom Photobooth, Duke Arts, and Jeghetto’s Entertainment, LLC.
Local legend 9th Wonder closed out the celebration with a set that brought the whole crowd together—an unforgettable end to a full and vibrant day.
This wasn’t just a party to mark 20 years. It was a genuine reflection of what the Nasher has become: a place where art and people meet, where ideas are shared, and where the community feels seen and welcomed. It was a celebration of the past, yes—but just as much a look forward to everything still to come.