The survey, which happens every five years, rejects the out-of-towner's glossy surfaces in favor of the view from inside. A snapshot not only of individual trajectories but of our great city as it continues to evolve in a time of deep anxiety and cautious hope.

This iteration includes the work of more than 50 artists who are currently in what the museum calls the “formative years of their career.” It’s a varied register of art, with some pushing viewers toward new ways of thinking about art. The show is overall strong for photography, though less so for painting.

The exhibition captures the texture of actually living in New York – in particular, a kind of immigrant aesthetics. Artist Tom Thayer's work stood out as art made purely for love of making. Some may find the scrappiness of the exhibition off-putting, but it’s a reminder that not all great art is polished.

A palpable but grounded optimism carried my spirit as I ambled through the show. It was a layered place to explore and experience, reminding us that we should take more time to research and enjoy such a complex city.