New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-02-18
THE AC4DEuY-s PROPOSAL.

In the first flush of their enthusiasm for a
scheme vaguely promising all sorts Of possible
advantages. a number of well meaning persons
have been easily demonstrating the wisdom OF
establishing the Academy Of Design in central
Park II is all as simple as the simplest sum in
arithmetic The old Arsenal which lies between
the Zoo" and the Goth street entrance to the
park. is an unsightly structure. To put beau
tiful building in its place at the expense OF the
Academy retaining the first floor of this build
ing for the use of the city, would be TO add TO
the number of our public monuments, to give
American art more elbow room and, incidentally,
to make everybody happy. If the enthusiasts
referred 10 think 1t all over for little while they
are not unlikely TO that they are IN error anu
that the best thing for them 10 do is 10 seek an
other Site outside Central Park for such
building as the Academy of Design may desire
There are several reasons why this proposal
invites condemnation. The housing OF artists
and policemen under the same roof is, to begin
with, by the very association of ideas, prepos-
ferrous and, humanity speaking it is pretty GER
tain 10 lead TO friction BY the terms OF the bill
Just introduced at Albany TO further this plan
the ownership Of the building would be vested IN
the CITY, but the Academy, III its exhibition rooms
upstairs. would have certain rights TO maintain,
and il is an open question how long me
two parties involved IN the contract would work
tremendously together. Then there is the ZOO
with its smells and noises and crowds, not
biscuits throw from the site coveted by the
Academy. 1t is obviously the last neghbor in
the world which an art institution would be ex-
pected TO seek. How long would it be before we
began TO hear talk of giving the Academy the
setting deserved by the beauty of its building,
and of appropriating thirty or forty acres else
where in the park for the Zoo? 1t is to be
noted also that the promoters Of this scheme are
convinced that it will flower 10 an American
Salon, and thereby increase the artistic impor-
lance of the city. This is pure speculation
Whether we are ready or not for an American
Salon, ready with the necessary works of art. IS
still a debatable point But the one point that
is not debatabIe is that neither the Academy of
Design nor any other institution. no matter how
pure its artistic purpose may be. has any bust
ness 10 threaten the integrity of Central Park.
1t is idle to adduce the presence there Of the
Metropolitan Museum. 4 good deal Of water
has flowed under the bridges since that was
permitted, and public opinion has changed. We
realize now, as did not realize then, that the
city's great natural pleasure ground should be
preserved intact and if.the Metropolitan may be
cited as precedent it may also be cited as
lesson Moreover, a very different and far more
dangerous precedent would be established by the
admission of the Academy to the park. 1t has
not the same civic significance that attaches to
the Metropolitan. Though nothing has yet
been disclosed regarding the administrative pol
icy which the Academy would adopt IN the park
toward the public at large. It is to be presumed
that the exhibitions held under its auspices
would not be opened free Of charge so often as
are those at the Metropolitan. In short, the
Academy. from the very nature Of its constitu
ton, would import into the park something Of
those private interests which should be steadily
excluded therefrom. No one questions the pub
lie spirit of persons, within or without its mem
bership. who believe and argue that the new
building proposed would be public benefit. But
we are convinced that the people of this city will
no benefit in q scheme imperiling one of
their most precious possessions, and that they
are quite willing 10 wait for an American Salon
until It has found home outside Of Central
Park