New-York tribune., 1896-01-15
ACADEMICIANS DISAGREE.
AN IMPORTANT SPECIAL MEETING TO BE
HELD TONIGHT.
THE QUESTION OF FUTURE QUARTERS AND A
BUSINESS ALLIANCE WITH THE FINE ARTS
soCIETY-sTATEMENTs OF PER-
INTERESTED

SONS INTERESTED.
A stenographic report of the discussion the i'm
portant special and secret meeting Of Acadomicians
pf National Academy OF Design, called at the
Academy this evening for the consideration OF tho
report of the Committee Site and Plan. would In
all probability be of lively interest to lovers OF art
generally. and 10 the many friends Of the Academy
In particular.
AS already published. the majority Of the commit
tee, James II. Sme, chairman: Frederick Dielman
and J. c. Nicoll. submitted to the Council OF the
Academy December % report proposing that
business alliance for building purposes with or
without actual union OF property, as may be pre-
ferredl, be made between the National Academy OF
Design and the organizations owning the Fine
Arts Building West Fifty-seventhst.. the Society
OF American Artists the Architectural League Of
New-York and the Art Students League OF New
York This proposition was opposed by minority
of the committee. Thomas w Wood president Of the
National Academy of Design, and J. G. Brown, on
the ground that the future development of the
Academy into the great art institutions of the
world could be attained only through the preserva-
tion Of its autonomy. Some of the older members
of the Academy bitterly opposed 10 alliance
with the Fine Arts Society. and this feeling is likely
to find free expression tonight.
James D. Smillie. the chairman of the Committee
Site and Plan. is also treasurer Of the National
Academy of Design. In talk yesterday with a
Tribune reporter regarding the merits of the report
OF a majority of the committee. Mr.. Smile said: II
doubt If definite conclusion will be reached to-
evening. | know there is strong opposition.
but know also there is a strong element in the
Academy approving the plan. The opposition so
far l understand ii. base their objection the
fear of loss of identity Of the Academy on entering
any such enterprise but that does not to me
at all well founded. 1t seems to me to be the op
portunity OF the Academy TO make itself the head
and front of grand combination of all home art
interests 1t is purely cooperative combination
for business purposes. The three societies in the
Fine Society Building distinctly
separate to-day they ever have been ever can
be- and in this proposed arrangement the Academy.
having larger interest than any other corporation.
would be the leading interest Its position in home
art entities it TO be.
From business point of view. the Academy
would gain certain advantages which 1t would be
impossible for it to secure without some such CO.
operative combination / yield in my
jealous regard for the interests of the Academy.
j think. however, that when the art interests of
New-York combine upon a basis of co-opera-
ton. the Academy will be stronger before the public
than in enort to stand apart. In regard to art
exhibitions. there has been change When there
only exhibition fifty years ago, it was an
attraction that everybody knew Of. but now. unless
there is social function to greater or less ex-
in connection with it, il is problematical wheth
or not an art exhibition will pay. If it became
known TO the public that there one great centre
where you might be there something of
interest going on. the public would get more in
dozen places TO Visit
MY fear would be that if the Academy undertook
10 purchas~ building strictly within the limits
OF The cash it could command. and no other plan
would have my approval. it would necessarily be a
retirement, and il the Academy went into modest
quarters il would lose its place as leader BY this
cooperative scheme. however noDie buiidlhs.
with frontage nearly twice that OF the present
Academy building in d. h. M would nq ,b be
finest in the city. But this is proposition 1t should
be recognized, which has not been discussed yet 10
my knowledge by the Fine Arts Society. am aware
of the fact tha; there may be opposition there as
TS%s ae S MADE By Ho%ard m Russell Butler the
president of the Fine Arts Society," was purely
based on sentimental grounds. the older members
ones stili have faith however. to believe the OPP
position in the Academy and such as may be de.
that there are great material advantages to be
gained for both organizations do not consider 1t
wise for any one to think that such pr0positison
would be eagerly accepted at once by either SIDE
1T is a complex business question to present TO the
artistic mind, but believe the report of the majority
q; the committee is so plain statement OF advan-
taecs that i may command the necessary majority
Mr.. smille added that the ARRANGEMENT by which
s.. would expire June l. The Academy, ne said.
did PS e1 M h o M bes on evesd to IN the
surance company which purchased II. 49,
National Academy OF Design more than twenty sl
years. said YESTERDAY that as the odes. member M, OF
the Academy he had an intense interest In Its well
1are,
on say. that the Academy should quietly per,
severe in the way IL has won It's reputation and
tomorrow might oil the subject and wish to kee?
myself unprejudiced in the matter. should not be
willing TO the majority report. far as
] have read 1t. But | have high opinion of the
way in which the committee investigated the sub
1ect. They have been very thorough and conscien-
tious. and have given great deal of time and
thought to the work. | may change my mind but
] think the Academy should keep its old course in
dependent of other societies. matter how good
they may be. II a dictator and had half
million OF money. ] think from the experience
have had ] could put the Academy in the way OF
going on prOsperously. We shall soon have to
part with our building and must do something.
/ have plans which have ventilated. and IL Is
the opinion Of IA number of people that we could DO
something safe and appropriate with the money we
have In addition 20 the money from the sale of
The Academy building have $4,000 given by
James Suydam one Of the old members a fund
that is devoted .lIe schools.
Thomas w. Wood. president of the National Acad-
envy OF Design said he did not wish TO make any
statement for publication in addition to the state,
ments In the minority report which might tend
TO influence the action OF the Academicians to-
night.