“The Flag Project 2022” Opening Ceremony and Flag Raising
Friday, April 1
On Display from April 1 – May 6, 2022
Rockefeller Center Plaza, Between 49th and 50th Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues
Rockefeller Center® Collaborates With The United Nations Environment Programme And The Climate Museum For Exhibition Featuring 193 Flags Surrounding The Rink At Rockefeller Center
Designed By The Public
The opening ceremony featuring a flag raising for the third-annual installment of Rockefeller Center’s “The Flag Project,” this year in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate Museum, will take place Friday, April 1st at 2:00PM on Center Plaza. Several of the 193 flags surrounding The Rink at Rockefeller Center—one for every member of the United Nations— will be ceremonially raised, marking the kickoff of this powerful public display, which will remain on view through May 6, 2022.
For the duration of the Flag Project, each of the 193 flags will feature artwork crowd-sourced from the general public focused on “Only One Earth,” the theme for this year’s World Environment Day. The flags will also be re-raised on Sunday, June 5th for a special commemoration of the day.
Chosen designs showcase appreciation for the environment and how artists aim to live sustainably and in harmony with nature and the daily steps they take towards positive climate action. Winning flag designs transformed into eco-friendly, biodegradable flags were selected by the UNEP and the Climate Museum Selected designs come from a range of individuals, from lifelong New Yorkers to international residents, from young children to seasoned artists.
Managing Director and Head of Rockefeller Center EB Kelly, the Climate Museum Director Miranda Massie, and a representative from the UNEP will raise the flags at the opening ceremony. Various artists and children whose flag designs were selected will be onsite for interview.
The Flag Project is a free, outdoor exhibition that is open to the public, does not require tickets, and can be viewed at any time.
Select food and retailers will be out on the Plaza including Ben & Jerry’s, Beatnic, Goods Mart, FDNY Zone and FAO Schwarz.
For most of the year, the flags surrounding the Rink at Rockefeller Center represent the nations recognized by the United Nations. For special occasions, all of the flags are uniform, such as American flags on the Fourth of July, rainbow flags during the annual Pride celebration, and silver and gold flags during the holiday season.