New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-02-17
FOR AMERICAN SALON
Bills Introduced ProUide for Build
ing IN Central Park.

Albany Feb. 15.-BflIs having FOR their object
| the creation Of National American Art Salon in
/ the city OF New York introduced to-day BY
/ Senator Grady and Assemblyman Francis, Of New
York One OF the bills authorizes the Department
Of Parks OF New York, with the concurrence OF the
Board Of Estimate and Apportionment TO enter
into an agreement with the National Academy OF
Design for the erection of a building in Central
Park in the place occupied by the State
Arsenal; the other bill amends the charter OF the
National Academy of Design to permit it
to make such agreement with the city.
The National Academy Of Design, centred in
New York, but with membership that includes all
American artists of note home abroad, stands
in this country Cor the Royal Academy IN London
and the Salon organizations in Paris said Assist
ant Corporation Counsel f. J. McGoldrick Of New
York to-day, but with this difference: England
and France support their artist bodies by govern
ment aid. while the National Academy of New York
has followed an honorable career for more than
hundred years funds dsinterestedly subscribed
By citizens. The National Academy has more than
$500 600 to invest in building dedicated all the
fine arts of America in New York City. II stands
ready and willing donate the city structure
which will be ornament to the city and at the
time It's resources and experience to make
New York the leading centre of the world. Gal
leries would be disposal of the Architect
ural League, the Sculpture Society the Ten Amer
tcan Painters, and crafts societies or any
other groups devoted to elevating the taste and
educating the intelligence OF the community.
II Is provided by the proposed legislation that
the erection and construction of such building
/ shall be at the expense of the National Academy
of Design, and that the agreement may contain a
provision for the continued by the National
Academy of Design Of such part of said building
as may be stated in such agreement long the
society shall fulfil the purposes of charter. So
that there may be feeling about the of
Central Park, the superficial to be occupied
by such building is to restricted $1,000 square
feet, and the westerly wall OF the new building
is not to be placed any further .westwardly from
Fifth avenue than the present westerly wall OF
the old building. The plans of such building are
made subject to the approval of the Art Com
/ mission of the City of New York. in addition to
the approval of the Department of Parks.
The building would its ground
floor which Is to be devoted exclusively TO the
/ ctys departments in the Arsenal the space
which the three floors IN the present structure
occupy. This, it is considered would give
in the galleries the second floor suf1cient 20
house a magnificent and inclusive salon Of Aneri-
can art The maintenance OF the galleries would be
at the charge Of the Academy, while the mainten-
auce of the building would naturally devolve, as
now, the city.
The idea in mind Of the National Academy. sup
ported by the city authorities is strictly to remain
20 the east of the westerly line of the exist
ing structure, thus leaving quite undisturbed the
people Geological Garden. From the main struct-
ure the building, which will cover the site
Of the present structure. IL is planned to two
wings Fifth avenue The entrance to
the galleries could thus be had from Fifth avenue,
while the entrance 20 the park ofices would be on
the western side Of the building.