In 2021, as New York City museums began reopening after COVID-19 closures, Jane August started an ambitious cultural project: to visit and document every museum in the city through short video logs. Initially estimating the task would take three years, she has so far covered 136 museums, with about 64 remaining. The number changes as new museums open and existing ones undergo significant transformations. August, a licensed New York City tour guide, said the project began as a way to re-engage with the city’s cultural life. Her videos, shared mainly on TikTok, have attracted around 40,000 followers. She has highlighted both large institutions, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and smaller, lesser-known venues like Poster House, the Tenement Museum, and the Brooklyn Seltzer Museum.

August often visits during weekday afternoons, using free admission days and library museum passes to manage costs. Staten Island destinations, including the Alice Austen House and Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, are among her noted finds. She has observed trends such as the growth of museum programs for younger audiences and a move away from traditional chronological displays. August emphasized that these changes, along with social media exposure, can increase attendance at smaller museums. She expressed that the project’s greatest value lies in meeting curators, enthusiasts, and community members who make each museum distinctive. While the journey demands endurance and travel to all corners of the city, August believes it offers profound insight into both the institutions and the diverse neighborhoods they represent.