Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is an extensive 16.3 acres (66,000 m²) arts complex in New York City which contains the city's finest performing arts venues, and serves as a home for New York's oldest and best established performing companies. At the head of the complex's central courtyard is the Metropolitan Opera House, flanked on the left by the New York State Theater, and on the right by Avery Fisher Hall. In addition to an impressive roster of resident performing companies, the center is also home to a specialized performing arts library, and top class dance and music training facilities.

Created with a vision of bringing together the best of New York's resident performing companies into one major performing arts center, Lincoln Center was conceived and designed beginning in the 1950s. Ground was broken for the center in 1959 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, with the first theater, Philharmonic Hall (now Avery Fisher Hall), main venue of the New York Philharmonic, opening in 1962, followed with the New York State Theater, resident theater to the New York City Opera and the New York City Ballet, opening in 1964, and the Metropolitan Opera House, home to the Metropolitan Opera and site of American Ballet Theater's annual Lincoln Center season, in 1966.

In addition to the three main theaters, the center contains a number of other significant venues and arts institutions, and provides a standard by which performing arts is measured throughout the United States. The scope and quality of Lincoln Center's facilities, programs and artistic companies is unequaled in any performing arts complex in the world.

Overview

Lincoln Center, an extensive complex of performing, rehearsal and educational facilities is located in Manhattan's upper west side. The center contains a total of 22 performance facilities, which present thousands of performances every year, performed by resident companies, invited guest artists, and talented students from the center's educational institutions.

The center is operated by a consortium of twelve major arts organizations, each with its own administration and board of directors, listed here in alphabetical order: Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Film Society of Lincoln Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Juilliard School, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc., Lincoln Center Theater, Metropolitan Opera, New York City Ballet, New York City Opera, New York Philharmonic, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, and School of American Ballet.

Beginning with initial plans in the 1950s, with the first facilities completing construction in the early 1960s, Lincoln Center has continuously expanded and developed both its facilities and programs, bringing together arts and cultures from all across the globe, to present alongside the center's resident companies, totaling thousands of performances a year, created by thousands of artists.

The center also contributes to the economic stability of the upper west side, with the center's resident companies, schools and organization providing jobs both in the arts and in a wide range of support fields, and drawing five million visitors a year to the neighborhood.

History

A team of civic leaders and others led by, and under the initiative of John D. Rockefeller III, built Lincoln Center as part of the "Lincoln Square Renewal Project" during Robert Moses' program of urban renewal in the 1960s. Rockefeller was its inaugural president from 1956 and became its chairman in 1961. He is credited with raising more than half of the $184.5 million in private funds needed to build the complex, including drawing on his own funds; the Rockefeller Brothers Fund also contributed to the project. The Lincoln Center was the largest and most ambitious arts project in New York City's history, and indeed in the United States.

The center's plans included a new home for the Metropolitan Opera, the New York State Theater, to be shared by the New York City Opera and the New York City Ballet, the Avery Fisher Hall, which became the home of the New York Philharmonic, the Alice Tully Hall, and two theaters of drama. In order to create a resident nonprofit theater company to compliment the opera, ballet and orchestra, Repertory Theater of Lincoln Center was founded in 1960. With the facilities still in the final planning stages and under construction, a training program for a core of performers was initiated in 1962. The company's first production was Arthur Miller's After the Fall. The first two seasons presented repertory split between new American plays and American and European classics, but was met with cool critical reception, and the idea was abandoned for the time being. Reestablished in 1985, the theater company has flourished and now goes simply by the name of the Lincoln Center Theater, offering a combination of musicals and dramas. The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center was formed in 1965, and took residence in Alice Tully Hall.

Throughout the 1960s, the major facilities of Lincoln center were completed, with the initial complex reaching completion with the opening of the Julliard School in 1969. Fundraising campaigns for upkeep, expansion and renewal began immediately, and facilities have been added renovated continuously throughout the center's history.

Lincoln Center cultural institutions also make use of facilities located away from the main campus. In 2004, Lincoln Center was expanded through the addition of Jazz at Lincoln Center's newly built facilities (Frederick P. Rose Hall) at the new Time Warner Center, located a few blocks to the south. In March 2006 Lincoln Center launched construction on a major redevelopment plan to modernize and renovate various parts of the Lincoln Center campus facilities in preparation for the center's 50th anniversary anniversary celebration in 2009. These include the 65th Street Project—part of a major redevelopment plan—to create a new pedestrian promenade designed to improve accessibility and the aesthetics of that area of the campus.

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. is one of the 12 resident organization listed above, and serves three primary roles: Presenter of artistic programming, national leader in arts and education and community relations, and manager of the Lincoln Center campus. As a presenter of more than 400 events annually, its programs include American Songbook, Great Performers, Lincoln Center Festival, Lincoln Center Out of Doors, Midsummer Night Swing, the Mostly Mozart Festival, and the Emmy Award-winning Live From Lincoln Center. In July 2006, LCPA began work, in partnership with publishing company John Wiley & Sons, Inc. to publish at least 15 books, focusing on performing arts, and drawing on Lincoln Center Institute’s educational background and archives.

Performance facilities

A sign directing visitors to the various buildings of the Lincoln Center.

• The Metropolitan Opera House—3,900-seat opera house; home theater of the Metropolitan Opera, and used annually by American Ballet Theater for part of their New York season. This is the second Metropolitan Opera House; the original one opened in 1883 and was demolished in 1966, the year of the opening of the new Metropolitan Opera facilities at Lincoln Center. The architect was Wallace K. Harrison of Harrison & Abramovitz.
• The New York State Theater—2,713-seat theater opened April 23, 1964. The architect was Philip Johnson of Philip Johnson Associates. Originally constructed to be the home of the New York City Ballet, now also serves as home to the New York City Opera. Many Broadway musicals have also been revived there. Underwent acoustical renovations in 1982.
• Avery Fisher Hall—2,738-seat symphony hall; home venue of the New York Philharmonic; opened September 23, 1962 as Philharmonic Hall. The architect was Max Abramovitz of Harrison & Abramovitz. Renamed Avery Fisher Hall in 1973 to commemorate a generous donation from Avery Fisher. Underwent acoustical improvements in 1976.
• Alice Tully Hall—1,095-seat concert hall located within the Juilliard School building, opened September 11, 1969; home venue for The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. The primary architect was Pietro Belluschi. The associate architects are Helge Westermann and Eduardo Catalano. In 1987, Alice Tully Hall also became host to the Classical Jazz series. Expansion and other renovations to the hall were carried out between 2007 and 2008.
• Vivian Beaumont Theater—1,080-seat Broadway-style theater opened October 14, 1965. The architect was Eero Saarinen of Eero Saarinen & Associates. Operated since 1985 as the main stage of Lincoln Center Theater. Previously occupied by The Repertory Theater of Lincoln Center (1965-1973) and The New York Shakespeare Festival (1973-1977).
• Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater (originally known as the Forum when it opened October 14, 1965)—intimate 299-seat theater operated by Lincoln Center Theater for its Off-Broadway-style productions. Renamed the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater in 1973.
• The Walter Reade Theatre—268-seat movie theater, opened December 3, 1991; used by the Film Society of Lincoln Center; features a raised dais used for post-screening filmmaker discussions. Since 1996, also home to Reel to Real for Kids, a program combining movie excerpts with live music.
• Jazz at Lincoln Center, opened October 18, 2004, while a part of Lincoln Center, is located separately in the Frederick P. Rose Hall complex within the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle. The architect is the firm of Rafael Vinoly Architects. It consists of the following performance and related facilities:

• The Allen Room—508 seat amphitheater with 50-foot glass wall overlooking Central Park; part of Jazz at Lincoln Center's facilities
• Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola—nightclub-style venue in the Jazz at Lincoln Center facility; allows jazz to be performed in its traditional venue
• Rose Theater—1,094-seat concert hall designed for jazz performances.
• Irene Diamond Education Center—rehearsal, recording, and classroom facility at Jazz at Lincoln Center

Other associated and local theaters and facilities

• Church of St. Ignatius Loyola—Roman Catholic Church located on Park Avenue between 83rd and 84th Streets on the Upper East Side; used by Lincoln Center for its great acoustics and its pipe organ (allowing expanded organ repertoire, since the Metropolitan Opera House and Alice Tully Hall are the only Lincoln Center venues with a pipe organ)
• Clark Studio Theater—120-seat dance theater; part of the facilities of the Lincoln Center Institute for the Arts in Education
• Damrosch Park—outdoor amphitheater with bowl-style stage known as the Guggenheim Band Shell, used for free Lincoln Center Out of Doors presentations
• Daniel and Joanna S. Rose Rehearsal Studio—rehearsal studio of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
• The Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College—theater at John Jay College of Criminal Justice; used for the Lincoln Center Festival and Great Performers series
• Josie Robertson Plaza—central plaza of Lincoln Center featuring its iconic fountain; the three main buildings (Metropolitan Opera House, Avery Fisher Hall, and New York State Theater) face onto this plaza; used as an outdoor venue during Midsummer Night Swing and Lincoln Center Out of Doors presentations
• Juilliard School—facility housing the school of the same name; building also incorporates Alice Tully Hall, Morse Recital Hall, Paul Recital Hall, the Juilliard Drama Theater, and the Peter J. Sharp Theater]]
• Peter J. Sharp Theater
• Morse Recital Hall—recital hall within the Juilliard School
• New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
• Paul Recital Hall—recital hall within the Juilliard School
• Pope Auditorium—theater located in Leon Lowenstein Hall of Fordham University's Lincoln Center campus (located across West 62nd Street from Lincoln Center)
• Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse—nightclub-style venue; used for intimate concerts, “Meet the Artist” and Great Performers events, lectures, and other events where a small, intimate space is preferred; was also used for jazz performances prior to the construction of the new Jazz at Lincoln Center facilities

Resident Organizations

Lincoln Center houses several cultural companies and institutions, including:

• American Ballet Theatre
• The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
• Film Society of Lincoln Center (sponsor of the New York Film Festival)
• Jazz at Lincoln Center
• The Juilliard School
• Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc.
• Lincoln Center Theater
• Metropolitan Opera
• New York City Ballet
• New York City Opera
• New York Philharmonic
• New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
• School of American Ballet

Each organization has its own board of directors and administration. Together, they present thousands of performances, educational programs, tours, and other events every year.

The Lincoln Center.

Architects

Architects who designed buildings at Lincoln Center include:

• Max Abramovitz—Avery Fisher Hall
• Pietro Belluschi—The Juilliard School (including Alice Tully Hall)
• Gordon Bunshaft—The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
• Wallace Harrison—Master plan & Metropolitan Opera House
• Philip Johnson—New York State Theater
• Eero Saarinen—Vivian Beaumont Theater

Historical events

• April 21, 1955—Lincoln Square designated for urban renewal
• June 22, 1956—Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. incorporated
• May 14, 1959—Ground breaking ceremony with President Dwight D. Eisenhower
• September 23, 1962—Philharmonic Hall (now Avery Fisher Hall) opened. A two-hour live CBS special, Opening Night at Lincoln Center, preserved the event on videotape
• April 6, 1964—Lincoln Center Fountain opened
• April 23, 1964—New York State Theater opened
• October 14, 1965—Vivian Beaumont Theater and the Forum (now Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater) opened
• November 30, 1965—The Library & Museum of the Performing Arts opened
• September 16, 1966—The Metropolitan Opera House opened
• May 22, 1969—Damrosch Park and the Guggenheim Band Shell opened
• September 11, 1969—Alice Tully Hall opened
• October 26, 1969—Juilliard School opened
• October 19, 1976—Avery Fisher Hall re-opened after renovation to improve acoustics
• December 4, 1981—The Big Apple Circus performed at its winter home in Damrosch Park for the first time. The circus has performed every winter at Lincoln Center ever since
• September 7, 1982—New York State Theater re-opened after renovation to improve acoustics
• September 2, 1986—Former Jewish Defense League National Chairman Victor Vancier throws a tear gas grenade during a performance of Soviet ballet in the Metropolitan Opera House as a protest against the Soviet practice of not letting its Jews emigrate to Israel
• November 19, 1990—The Samuel B. and David Rose Building opened; houses the Walter Reade Theater, the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse, the Daniel and Joanna S. Rose Rehearsal Studio, the Clark Studio Theater, and Juilliard School student residences, as well as office space for a number of the member organizations
• December 3, 1991—The Walter Reade Theater opened within the previously completed Samuel B. and David Rose Building
• July 12, 1997—The Paul Milstein Plaza dedicated
• October 18, 2004—Jazz at Lincoln Center opened
• March 2006—Preliminary construction on the West 65th Street Project begins
• June 8, 2006—Plans for Lincoln Center to transform the nearby Harmony Atrium into a public space for the arts open to the public, neighbors, students, and Lincoln Center patrons are announced
• June 12, 2006—The Lincoln Center Promenade initiative to revitalize Lincoln Center's Columbus Avenue frontage and the iconic Josie Robertson Plaza is unveiled
• August 20, 2006—Paul Milstein Plaza dismantled as part of 65th Street Redevelopment project

In popular culture

In popular culture, in the 1990s PBS game show Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? Robocrook steals Lincoln Center. The Center also appears in the movies The Producers (1968 film), August Rush, Moonstruck, and Ghostbusters.

The center has been seen many times on the Young People's Concerts, and is regularly featured on PBS's Live from Lincoln Center.

Legacy

The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts remains one of the world's leading presenters of performing arts. Its performances range from authentic kabuki theater and dance premieres from world-renowned choreographers, to outdoor dancing to live music, to opera performed with life-size puppets and free performances of Korean drumming and African dance. In the 2007 season alone, there were roughly 5000 performances by over 3000 artists, from every corner of the globe.

The Lincoln Center has won Emmy Awards for its Live From Lincoln Center telecasts. It remains a leader in arts and education, as well as community relations, and takes a maintains a wide range of activities beyond its concert halls and through its education arm. The Lincoln Center Institute offers arts-related symposiums, family programming, and other community initiatives. It also is responsible for providing curricula to educational institutions in in Australia, China, Mexico, and South Africa. The Lincoln Center strives to make art from around the world accessible to everyone.

Gallery

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See also

• List of museums and cultural institutions in New York City
• John D. Rockefeller 3rd
• Jazz at Lincoln Center
• Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition and Festival

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Young, Edgar B. Lincoln Center: The Building of an Institution. New York: New York University Press, 1980.

External links

All links retrieved August 5, 2008.

• Lincoln Center official website
• Maps and aerial photos
  • Street map from Google Maps or Yahoo! Maps
  • Topographic map from TopoZone
  • Satellite image from Google Maps or Microsoft Virtual Earth

Credits

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