Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University Opens Everything Now All At Once

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DURHAM, NC – On August 28, 2025, the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University will debut Everything Now All At Once, a visually striking exhibition drawn from its contemporary collection. Launching the museum’s 20th-anniversary celebrations, the show is both a reflection of the Nasher’s founding vision and an articulation of the museum’s evolving curatorial themes.

At the heart of the exhibition is the museum’s belief that artists are powerful generators of knowledge, community, and social change. Since opening in 2005, the Nasher has intentionally centered artists historically excluded from the mainstream canon—supporting them at critical moments, often when they are establishing new visual languages or taking creative leaps.

“Building an art collection is a lot like making a mixtape—you choose each piece with intention, thinking about what will resonate with your audience and what messages you want to convey,” said Xuxa Rodríguez, PhD, Patsy R. and Raymond D. Nasher Curator of Contemporary Art. “This exhibition is a well-crafted, visual mixtape for our community at Duke, Durham, and beyond. It’s the soundtrack of our shared history and the experiences we’ve created together with our visitors.”

Everything Now All At Once highlights many of the Nasher’s most significant acquisitions—from iconic works like Jeffrey Gibson’s I PUT A SPELL ON YOU (2015) from his punching bag series and Nick Cave’s Soundsuit (2015) to early pieces by emerging artists who’ve since gained international acclaim, such as Njideka Akunyili Crosby. A future-focused section, Track 6: The Next Chapter, underscores the museum’s vision for growth: supporting early-career artists, expanding queer and southern representation, and investing in performance. Together, these works reflect a dynamic curatorial approach grounded in new ideas, lasting artist relationships, and deeply personal explorations of identity, history, and place.

The show also recognizes the community effort behind the collection. Since 2005, more than 220 donors have contributed over 330 gifts—from individual artworks to entire collections—fueling the museum’s rise from a new university institution to a player on the global stage. Many works on view were donated by Duke alumni, parents, and local collectors who share in the Nasher’s mission to champion underrepresented voices in contemporary art.

Everything Now All At Once is organized by Rodríguez, with support from Julianne Miao, Curatorial Associate. The exhibition is on view from August 28, 2025, through July 26, 2026. In February 2026, the show will evolve with a rotation of new works, offering fresh perspectives and continuing the museum’s commitment to discovery and reinvention.

The Nasher’s 20th-anniversary celebration includes a robust slate of events, exhibitions, and programs. In just two decades, the museum has become a cultural force—presenting nationally recognized exhibitions, shaping the discourse around representation in the arts, and energizing Durham through vibrant, community-driven initiatives.

Everything Now All At Once is made possible by the Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family Fund for Exhibitions and the Mary Duke Biddle Foundation.

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About the Nasher Museum of Art 
The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University is a leading center for the arts in Durham, North Carolina, and a vital resource for both the Duke campus and the surrounding region. Designed by acclaimed architect Rafael Viñoly, the 65,000-square-foot museum has organized more than 125 cutting-edge exhibitions since its opening in 2005, many of which have traveled nationally and internationally. With a strong commitment to contemporary art, the Nasher’s collection emphasizes work by artists who have been historically underrepresented, reflecting its mission to shape a more inclusive art historical narrative. Deeply integrated into Duke’s academic life, the museum fosters interdisciplinary research, supports innovative teaching, and engages students and faculty in critical dialogue. The Nasher also welcomes broader audiences through vibrant community and K–12 programs, and has offered free admission to all visitors since 2022, thanks to the generosity of Jennifer McCracken New and Jason New. To date, more than 1.6 million people have experienced the museum’s exhibitions and programs. Guests can enjoy local fare at the Nasher Museum Café and shop art-inspired gifts at Parker & Otis. Learn more at nasher.duke.edu.