Big Bird at Lincoln Center
Big Bird at Lincoln Center

“Somebody Come and Play:” 45 Years of Sesame Street Helping Kids Grow Smarter, Stronger, and Kinder

New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center, Shelby Cullom Davis Museum, Donald and Mary Oenslager Gallery

How much do you really know about Sesame Street? Take our Secrets Behind Sesame Street quiz before or after you visit the exhibition!

Come play and discover things you never knew about everyone’s favorite street—Sesame Street. Sesame Street transformed television by proving it was possible to produce a show that was both educational and entertaining for children. A collaboration of Sesame Workshop and The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, this exhibition gives fans of all ages the opportunity to experience what it’s like to create an episode of the show and get close to their fuzzy and furry friends from the street. For more than four decades Sesame Street has been helping kids grow smarter, stronger, and kinder with the help of beloved Muppets like Elmo and Grover and its signature blend of animation, music, and humor. Sesame Street teaches not just ABCs and 123s, but life lessons ranging from health and nutrition to cooperation, friendship, and diversity. The children’s program is celebrating 45 years on television with this interactive behind the scenes look at the show.

Learn how show segments start with an educational foundation and the process from page to screen. Scripts, storyboards, lead sheets, designs, and scores from the archives of Sesame Workshop and the Library for the Performing Arts illustrate how SesameStreet enhances early childhood education with the highest of production values. See behind the scenes footage, animation cels, photographs, blueprints, and an architectural model of the set from the early 90’s. Get up close with Elmo, Oscar, Grover, and other favorite characters. Watch show highlights, a retrospective of many of the celebrities and notable people that have visitedSesame Street, and special appearances over the years. Check out Sesame Street products from record albums, to toys and clothing. View Sesame Street book art and original art from a Sesame Street newspaper comic. Learn about Sesame Streetinternational programs and view Muppets from other countries. Snuffy and Super Grover welcome visitors to a child-friendly area for reading Sesame Street books, creating art projects and playing with Sesame Street games, apps, and e-books.

Monday 12-8 p.m.
Tuesday 12-6 p.m.
Wednesday 12-6 p.m.
Thursday 12-8 p.m.
Friday 12-6 p.m.
Saturday 12—6 p.m.
Sunday - CLOSED

This exhibition was organized by Sesame Street and The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Sesame Workshop®,Sesame Street®, and associated characters, trademarks, and design elements are owned and licensed by Sesame Workshop. © 2014 Sesame Workshop. All Rights Reserved.

Major support for this exhibit provided by the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation.  Additional support provided by Barbara G. Fleischman. 

September 18th, 2014 - January 31st, 2015 New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center, Shelby Cullom Davis Museum, Donald and Mary Oenslager Gallery

Featured Video

“Somebody Come and Play:” 45 Years of Sesame Street Helping Kids Grow Smarter, Stronger, and Kinder

Take a look behind the scenes as Louis Henry Mitchell, Creative Director of Character Designer at Sesame Workshop, creates chalk murals for the exhibition.

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Sponsors

Major support for this exhibit provided by the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation.  Additional support provided by Barbara G. Fleischman. 

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts gratefully acknowledges the leadership support of Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman.  Additional support for exhibitions has been provided by Judy R, and Alfred A. Rosenberg and the Miriam and Harold Steinberg Foundation.