New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-01

VIEWS OF MR. SMILE AND WILL Fl. Low
ON THE PROPOSED UNION OF THE
ACADEMY OF DESIGN AND
COLUMBIA.

The new Council Of the National Academy OF De-
sign goes into power in August. but is rarely con-
vened before the frsc Monday In October. AZ 10
first meeting there Will probably be- discussion OF
the question Of the Academy acquiring ste on
Morningside Heights near the buildings OF Column
bia University. The matter viii then be presented
TO the body Of academ!cans for action.
The proposition that the Academy ally Itself with
Columbia and become part Of tie university sys-
tenn to the extent of uniting with the Columbia
School Of Architoc ture far only as it5 art IN
struct.on is concerned is beng actively astated By
friends OF both institutions, but the question OF
ste, irrespective of alliance. must necessarily De de-
cided first Some of the members who would be IN
favor of the Columbia site would no; ne inclined 70
favor any form OF alliance with another institution
that would in any way threaten the autonomy OF
the Academy.
The views OF James d. Smile treasurer Of the
National Academy OF Design. favorng the Columbia
University site. were published in The Tribune re-
Gently Mr. Smile yesterday suppleinef ted MS
statement follows: The matter OF a!iiance De-
tween Columbia University az the National Acad-
envy Of Design has been PUBLICLY proposed and dis
cussed by outside parties. Il has not yet been dls-
cussel however in the councils Of either Of these
institutions although members of the UniverAty
and Academy discussed II SIMPLY az "iuA-
ylilials without representative power.
AS In the plan OF Corpora WIN the American
Fine Arts Society proposed laSt winter "n-ci was
pers.stently described by its opponents a. aEnaga-
NATION. some CT the acaGen.cians cry out ei.t-
geucAy against any e..iaiS.1ns sl.a.SSs' 80
from al other Institutions II Is very desirable MAJ
tbs question OF site near coiunt1a ,nsc'"os - -
no, be mixed up with any scneme taat may De-
rightly or wrongly, described as aInt.ganat.1iI
The future Of the National Academy OF Dts'si-
matter OF speculation, Is alwass o"c y. a.,
sorbing interest 10 me. and drsi.n ot sIe'. a." a..
I'M uence the unchanenged leader. the natural out;
come OF high ideals. practical wisdom anu sPAelua
as A stimu!ant 10 work for more prosaic. though
hardy less ambitious. interests me rediy ~ %
nant question now before the Academy 10 '"'' -
An interesting contribution to the dis lis hcs ss
emy ana the poss billty Of an alliance Oh 'hS h
envy win the University was MAJ 81 tns
SJclety OF American Artists In tax Win al, Try,
favor 81 anything vllch eniarges the SC pc OF me
Academy and makes L more essel'id4y MIA !. =.
GOOD many years that the Academy as 1t is now
Constituted express only one side OF art AMe arr
ar.hitecture-has never had any KIND OF recogn'tpn
the part Of the AeG SH able S' to 9 se any far
representation to sculpture NOV my ldsa Sl thin
It's ranks OF ali arts possibly ncHd.nS oss ~
music. all having voice IN us mahdse'heh. "i,u
Whole our present Academy does not DO tna,. !;
represents only one branch OF arr cnvny ma nnr,on
of our painters II is an open secrei that fQr some
yean there ha been r ana deF pir Of Of tha at
least be traced 10 disunion IN the TANKS Vi
"a Scheme was proposed soon after the sale q the
Acadsmv nropertv bv which a consolidation Of bust
interests might have been had prt",cn .n1 wv"
Design and the Society OF American Artists ms
was favored by but few OF the academic1ans' ION
a msapprehenson and fear lest the Academy
should lose its autonomy ms ui.lSn .oi, - 80
given a site in Ftf,y-secondst., adjoining the AAei.-
can Fine Arts Society Building. with galleries arser
than those in the existing building or tae sycey.
galleries which on occasion cou.i pc JOieu n''n
comprehensive exhibition that m!sht inc.ule PANT
ing, sculpture, architecture ana DECORATIVE "th .
THE broaderminded artists in New. YORK, .. notn
Artists or OF the Architectural League Would "s.'
come. | certain, union wn!cn "0dIi sSVu
simultaneous presentation Of the! work 70 me PdD-
lie which al the tine would respect t!l,
various affiliations. The movement 10 nave ue
Academy IN conjunction with Columbia Is cieariy ~
with the respective merits Of the different s1tes
proposed for the Academy, am not prsparsu 10 l..
other The site AZ Mornings.de Heights seems 70
me. FOR many reasons; ste "Aicn' noMeSgr 80 a.
for many years the Academy would De OUT OF tne
way. At this juncture OF its affairs the A eaieny
similar 10 those u London or Paris. No eX.stiiS
building is large enough or IS niifi iS Tor ho.a n
ston that the Academy should in the interVa. De-
fore It would be poss bic 70 attract rs Ruonf %
does rot seem 20 me 10 meet the difficulty lac
personnel Of academy seems to me inucl n'or'
prchenslve representation OF all thai New YORK az
ready holds in the way or arusiic atla.hnlei- W.
~ havn s, where we please but to attract
public any site however remote ,,,.
AS an acsdenc.an. | am n favor OF an a'i Ha,
with Columbia University wherever ne AZ 'dsny
may BE- situated recognize me lmpertahce % ~. Al
aiaon St,h an instIion %hSh we ars ever 20
have an here that is worth considering Il mus
exist as part Of York ane q Ta ;hs best s'
Il have understood that all hone OF SO au!'',,
ing the American Fine Arts Society Bun i.ns n
Fifty-sevenh-st has not yet been abandoned
.