Goethe-Institut USA

Welcome...

… to the Goethe-Institut New York, Germany’s cultural institute operating worldwide. We promote knowledge of the German language abroad and foster international cultural cooperation. We have been operating in New York since 1969 and are a hub of ideas, support, education and exchange.

Goethe Angela Davis © Goethe-Institut New York

Events

05/08–07/17/2025 A Boring Dystopia

Goethe-Institut New York, New York, NY | Exhibition

The first US solo exhibition of artist Matthias Planitzer features an adapted version of the artist's video installation, A Boring Dystopia (2023). The work renders a hyper-real Manhattan, yet not all is as it should be. Envisioned as a societal pyschogram, the protagonist’s soliloquy questions humans’ role in a world increasingly overtaken and overdetermined by intelligent technology. The architectural installation in which the video is viewed testifies further to the uncanniness offered on screen.

Still from "A Boring Dystopia," Matthias Planitzer, 2023. Courtesy of the artist. Still from "A Boring Dystopia," Matthias Planitzer, 2023. Courtesy of the artist.

Events

Goethe-Institut USA

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The Goethe-Institut USA is Germany's offical cultural center with convenient and effective online German courses and internationally recognized language certificates.

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Library

Our library & public space welcomes anyone who wants to read, to listen to music, to watch films, to be inspired or to meet other people.

Lending Library

The use of books and media in our library is free of charge. A library membership is required to borrow items.

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eLibrary

Our eLibrary gives you access to thousands of largely German-language digital media.

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Library Catalog

In our library you'll find the only collection of its kind in the US, with media that inform about current trends and contemporary themes from Germany.

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GINY Library © Goethe-Institut New York

Projects

German Film Office

The German Film Office is an initiative of the Goethe-Institut and German Films. Based in New York, we collaborate with local partners to bring the best of contemporary and repertory films from Germany to US audiences.

GFO D89 Courtesy Sundance TV Courtesy Sundance TV

GAPP

Established in 1972, the German American Partnership Program (GAPP) is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization that facilitates bilateral transatlantic exchanges between schools in the U.S. and Germany. With 750+ U.S. schools in our network and 400,000+ alumnae/alumni, GAPP is the largest bilateral exchange program between the U.S. and another country.

GAPP Berlin (c) Daniel Seiffert (c) Daniel Seiffert

Ludlow 38 Online Publication + Archive

Dive into the 11-year history of our Ludlow 38 art space & residency program. With contributions from our jury members, our curatorial residents, Goethe-Institut colleagues, artists, and Lower East Side neighbors.

Ludlow 38 Online Pub @ Other Means @ Other Means