The New York herald., 1922-03-13
ART SCHOOLS UNITE
TO HELP STUDENTS
Altman Foundation in Affilia-
tion With N. Y. University
and Design Academy.
BEST INSTRUCTION FREE
Important Move to Make City
FlOrence's Successor in
World of Art.

An affiliation of Importance to the
art world generally. but of particular
interest to young students, has just
been announced Jointly by the Altman
Foundation. philanthropic body created
under the will Of the late Benjamin
Altman; New York University and the
National Academy of Design. the city's
free art school.
Under this arrangement and through
benefaction of the Altman Founda-
tion a chair Of Fine Arts will be re-
established at New York University and
the two schools will work out sys-
tenn of interchange of students, the
ultimate object of which is to COM
blne the arts and the crafts. The prof.
cct as outlined by Col. Michael Fried
sam, head of the Altman Foundation;
Elmer II. Brown. chancellor of New
York University, and Edwin H. Blash-
field, president of the National Acad-
emy, is one of the most far reaching
moves made in the art world OF this
country in many years. Similar sys-
TENS have been established at a few of
the larger universities throughout the
country, principally at the University
While announcing that all three
parties concerned have adopted the pro-
posals. Charles II. Sheriff.. former
State Adjutant-GeneraL and now a
member OF the council of New York
University, carefully guarded the more
Intricate details. and particularly the
Identity of the professor who will hold
the new chair. Neither would he say
how large would be the benefaction
from the Altman Foundation. asserting
that could not be determined until the
project was well under way. the launch
ing being scheduled for to-day The first
move will be selection of the professor.
Schools VIII Cooperate.
Under the scheme. professors Of New
York University will teach the science
anl history of art to students of the
National Academy Of Design, which is
at Amsterdam avenue and 109th street.
and artists who instruct in the art
school will criticize drawings and paint
ings of the students at New York Uni
vcrsity. OF the two schools 1t Is con-
ccded that the students of the National
Academy will gain the most, as they
viii be admitted to New York University
classes If they are passed by their own
school committee without having to 60
through the Regents examination.
Being a free school. the only charge
at tn Academy being made is for
lockers, the students will receive at the
university free instruction in necessary
branches OF art, for which the univer-
sity students themselves will be paying
the regular tuition fees. For the stu
dents OF both schools there will be
degree at graduation to be known as
Bachelor of Fine Arts.
Mr.. Sheriff. and Harry Watrous,
vice-president of the National Academy.
said Mr.. Friedman was the moving
spirit behind the project. The matter
first was taken up two months ago and
was settled Friday afternoon when the
council of New York University unani-
mously decided to enter into the affilia-
ton. 1t Is the objec, or the two schools
and the foundation to produce a school
of art in this city where the most minute
details Of all branches will be taught
from the weaving of a carpet to the
painting of a portrait The theory be-
hind the move is that many excellent
carpet and tapestry designers in the
embryo now are hopelessly trying to
paint la Sergeant. Sorolla, or Whistler
through lack of facilities to learn the
technical details of the crafts at which
they could best make a living.
The department Of fine arts at New
York University Is designed to correct
this condition, which. Mr.. Sheriff. ac-
knowledged has existed in this country
for years Artists have been fashioning
the most exquisite designs for tapestries,
he said, only to find they are useless
because they are not suited for the
medium through which they must be
wrought to be of commercial use. The
plan now Is to permit the art student
to acquire this technical ability and a
knowledge Of the history of art while
ha Ia la rfnfp IN model. D1tnt.
Good support Is Promised.
Several of the more important crafts
have become interested in the project.
Mr. Sheriff. said and will enthusiastic
cally support the new department. All
branches Of the new department with
the exception OF one that will deal with
the literature of art will be open 10
the academy students. But the latter
can take this course by paying nomi-
nal fee that will be charged. The acad-
envy students will have to make appli-
cation to the committee OF academicians
directing the academy and will have
to be indorsed by that body before they
can attend the university classes.
"It Is the hope of the originators OF
the project" statement issued by
Mr.. Sheriff. said, that New York may
eventually become to the artistic world
what Florence was in the fourteenth
and fifteenth centuries. In connection
with this renewal OF relationship be-
tween the National Academy of Design
and New York University II is inter-
estlng to recall that s. +. b. Morse. the
inventor Of the telegraph, was the
founder and first president OF the Ma
sionai Academy of Design, and was
likewise the first professor OF, the lit
erature OF the arts OF design in New
York University. The National Academy
was founded ninety-six years ago"
The Altman Foundation was repre-
sented In the conferences by Mr. Fried
sam and John s. Burke. secretary.
Chancellor Brown and Mr.. Sheriff. rep
resented New York t'-'versfty. and the
National Academy of Design rep
resented by Mr.. Blashieh. Mr.. trous
and Francis G. Jones, secretai Of the
academy.
Not only will the new department
try to turn out finished artists in all
branches OF the arts and crafts but
curators who will be capable OF taking
charge of the numerous museums that