New-York tribune., 1902-01-17
TO AID FINE ARTS BUILDING SCHEME
COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO PUBLISH DATA
ABOUT SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS ABROAD.

A COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO PUBLISH DATA
ABOUT SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS ABROAD.
In the interest OF the movement TO erect united
Fine Arts Exhibition Building a cost, exclusive
Of site. Of least s1.Jo0O00. committee has been
appointed TO collect and publish data for the in
formation OF the public in regard similar in
situtions abroad The committee is composed OF
Charles r. Lamb. Of the National Sculpture So
ciety, chairman; J. Carroll Beckwlth, the National
Academy of Design. Robert ". Gibson. the Archi-
tectural League of New-York; Spencer Trask the
Municipal Art Society of NewYork, and Frank
Fowler. the Society Of American Artists
Mr.. Lamb said yesterday in talk with Tribune
reporter that IT was proposed to publish
possible information about existing buildings of a
similar character abroad. describing their plans
the materials OF which they built. their methods
of direction and how they supported whether
by governmental aid private gifts This infor-
nation would be of interest not only to Ne~York,
far the proposed home Of contcmporaneous
art concerned. but every important mu-
nicipaty In this country. 1t would enable people
to draw comparisons between the advantages for
eign capitals have and the disadvantages New-York
is laborng under In not concentrating its art ef-
fort.
Mr.. Lamb urged that If all the exhibitions
held in New-York in the winter could be
combined in one, and the attention Of the entire
country focused a great exhibition as is prac-
tcally the case n the Salon. in Paris everybody
would be surprised at the Importance of the
bined exhibits and the high grade of the work
shown. At present there are two oil and two water
color exhibitions, and the exhibitions OF the Ma
tiOnal Sculpture Society and the Architectural
League. without reference to smaller exhibitions,
like those of the National Arts Union League,
Lotos and Century clubs and the exhibitions CON
trolled by private dealers. At Amsterdam where
the government realizes the necessity of Il centraz-
ing art exhibition. il has taken examples from the
smaller towns, like Delft, and brought them into
"A great museum built for the purpose, to give the
impression of the Importance OF Dutch The
city of Paris has combined in special museum the
models. sketches cartoons. etc. for every commits
sion given by the city for work
Frederic Crownnshield, president OF the Fine
Arts Federation of New York. said that the site
alone of the proposed United Fine Arts Exhibition
Building, above Fourteenth-st a near to the cen
tire of the city as possible, and facing upon some
great thoroughfare or upon open square, might
possibly cost from 100000 100000. Regarding
home of monumental character. Mr.. Crownin-
shield said
1t is possible that some benefactor will give the
whole sum outright and IL is possible that i'm some
readJustment OF the citys streets and squares
whlch must come some DAY, place Will be found
But IL Is not the intention artists 90
around and ask for subscriptions The peopIe
however. are awakening to the shortcomings of
NeW-1ofk ana II is encouraging, not the
case ohly iew years ago, that have now the
Municipal Art Commission, the Fine Arts Federa-
ton and Municipal Art Society, all working toward
the betterment of the When he Duhlic real
lies what has been done abroad 1t will be anxious
to enjoy the same benefits. We shall trv To i'm
press upon the public the of such an institu-
asking the city for aid the administra tion ar nres
ent Is new ana Is busy with other matters. The
guild, and although have done a good deal T Sd
lar, we must proceed with tact.