New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-07
THE AMERICAN FINE ARTS SOCIETY.

The great and uniform excellence Of the ret
respective exhibition Just opened by the So
ciety of American Artists has already begun to ex-
cite widespread interest and to strengthen conf
dencc in the capabilities of native talent. While
the public mind is engaged by an artistic spectacle
Of its kind unprecedented in our annals, II is
timely TO point out that this would hardly have
been possibe-it would not, at any rate have been
placed before us so neutrality-suspicious. the impetus
given TO artistic enterprise by the incorporation
Of the American Fine Arts Society and the cul-
minaton Of the benefcent schemes of the latter
in the erection Of the building whose dedication
to purposes of public instruction and pleasure is
once moro celebrated, more llttingly indeed than
by any ceremonies, by the opening of the exhibit
ton to which refer The secret Of success in
any field Of endeavor wherein the prize is to be
won and shared by numbers Of persons lies in
organization.
Prior to June 20, 1880, tho Art Students League
Of New-Yorls had its own autonomy. so had the
Architectural League of New-York; so. too, had
the Society of American Artists, and each organ
ism was in the enjoyment Of prosperity. But
they were all without permanent homes, without
The stimulus of fixed ard adequate stages upon
which to pursue their labors and show their re-
suits Their formation of fourth society, over
Fine Arts Society, which would leave them to
worl; out their own destinies and yet give them
a definite interest in common in the shape of
plan for the creation Of common home, was an act
that insured speedy doubling of their resources
and consequent expansion Of their influence
for good The building which they have put up
on Fifty-seventh-st., with It's ample facilities for
exhibitions meetings and classes Of instruction, in
itself an addition TO the finer architectural land
marks OF our city, places on o frmer footing the
best school OF instruction in the pictorial and
plastic arts possess, the leading American So
cicty for the encourag cement OF architecture and
tho allied arts. and by far the most energetic and
representative body of painters and sculptors in
the country. 1t stands for tho concentration OF
O power for artistic development which only needs
TO be fostered 10 be Of incalcuabe service In es-
tablishing America on equality in art with the
modern nations Of the world.
1t is perhaps scarcely necessary to remind the
philosophical citizens Of New-York that this fos
terng must De practical, not theoretical. But
certain facts should be announced. Tie land and
building now owned by tho American Fine Arts
Society represent expenditure OF about $780,
900. Of which $l5l,OO was subscribed to the
different funds OF the organization, and the re-
mander provided for by the execution Of two
mortgages The interest on the first mortgage,
one OF 81 co. 900 10 the Central Trust Company, Is
TO b. paid from the annual income to be derived
from the rentals which the cooperating societies
have agreed TO pay for the Of the building
The second mortgage, one of $5l 900, is held by
tho contractor and must be paid up within less
than two years Exhibitions will raise part OF
tho money but most of it is expected to come
from subscriptions TO the Gift and Fellowship
Funds. Under the terms Of the former, sub
scrtber OF $1,000 has the title of Founder con-
ferrcd upon him a subscriber OF $1,000 or OF
any greater amount less than $1,000, Is classed
as u Patron, and a subscriber OF $500, or Of any
greater amount less than $1,000, is called an AS
socate. certificate of Life Fellowship is issued
10 subscribers OF $500, and one Of Tcn-Year
Fellowship TO subscribers Of 500. Subscribers
10 the GIFT Fund would have an interest
in the proceeds realized should tho affairs Of the
society be wound up and the property sold. Sub
scribcrs TO the Fellowship Fund would not have
this interest, but they will receive private view
and season tickets for all exhibitions held by the
Society OF American Artists and the Architectural
League The Importance of the National interest
which would be promoted by every subscription
is obyiOus