5 Boro Tour Queens Capital Funding Noguchi

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For Immediate Release: August 10, 2022

Contact: publicaffairs@culture.nyc.gov

NYC DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS ANNOUNCES $4.5 MILLION FOR THE NOGUCHI MUSEUM AND NEW CAPITAL FUNDING FOR CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS QUEENS

Images and video from today’s announcement, along with an archival photo of Isamu Noguchi's living space, are available for download here.

Queens, NY - NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Commissioner Laurie Cumbo announced today $4.5 million in capital funding for the Noguchi Museum to support the restoration and renovation of Isamu Noguchi’s Studio, allowing public access for the first time in its history and preserving the living spaces designed by Noguchi. The project also includes a new cafe and shop for visitors, as well as the construction of a new facility for the storage and study of its collection and archive. As part of an ongoing five borough tour, Commissioner Cumbo also highlighted critical capital investments for cultural groups across Queens, including the Poppenhusen Institute, Queens Botanical Garden, Queens Museum, Flux Factory, New York Hall of Science, and Queens Theatre.

“Arts and culture are essential to New York City’s fabric, and this administration is proud to support organizations that capture the creative energy of our most diverse borough of Queens,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic & Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “With this new capital funding for the Noguchi Museum and cultural groups across Queens, we’re committed to giving cultural groups the support they need to thrive and to continue driving our city’s recovery.”

“The extraordinary diversity and energy of Queens is reflected in its cultural organizations, and we’re thrilled to invest in these projects that will give local residents and visitors from all over access to the remarkable cultural facilities they deserve,” said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. “From this exciting new project at Noguchi Museum that will open up the legendary artist’s living spaces to the public for the first time, to the Queens Museum’s ongoing expansion, and many more – these projects are part of the City’s long-term investment in the cultural community of Queens and across all five boroughs.”

The $4.5 million in new funding for the Noguchi Museum includes $1.5 million added by Mayor Adams and $3 million contributed by Borough President Richards. Mayor Adams has invested a historic $127 million in capital support across the five boroughs which, along with funding from the City Council and Borough Presidents, brings a total of more than $220 million in capital funding for 70 cultural groups citywide. This allocation has been made alongside a record-setting City expense allocation for DCLA of more than $237 million, which includes funding that will be distributed through DCLA’s grant programs to more than 1,000 groups across the city. This investment in New York City’s cultural community will be distributed in support of a broad, equitable recovery that ensures all New Yorkers have access to the joy, education, and transformative benefits of cultural activity.

“Queens is home to incredible artists and cultural organizations that contribute to the vibrancy of our city,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “By investing in arts and culture, we are uplifting the creativity and brilliance of New Yorkers and our communities. In the World’s Borough, our beloved cultural institutions like the Noguchi Museum deserve our support, and I’m proud that the city budget invests in their success. Our historic funding allocations for arts and culture will have a tremendous impact for visitors and residents alike."

“I’m thrilled that the Noguchi Museum, along with many other incredible Queens cultural institutions, have received this historic funding from Mayor Eric Adams. With the Mayor’s investment and my $3 million allocation for a new storage lab and study center, the Noguchi Museum will be able to expand and improve upon the stellar experience it offers visitors,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “Our cultural institutions play a critical role in enriching our communities, and I’m proud to have allocated more than $19 million in the last two fiscal years for them. I will continue to work alongside our cultural institutions and my colleagues in government to preserve them for generations to come.”

“Since its founding in 1985, The Noguchi Museum has presented exhibitions and programs that reach audiences from throughout Queens, as well as around the world,” said Noguchi Museum Director Brett Littman. “Our capital project will enable public access to Isamu Noguchi’s Studio for the first time in its history, open a new cafe and shop for visitors, and create dedicated space to preserve, protect, and research Noguchi’s art and archive. We are grateful to Mayor Eric Adams, Commissioner Laurie Cumbo, and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards for their support and investment.”

“We are grateful for City of New York’s historic, forward-looking, and generous capital investments in arts and culture institutions throughout the boroughs and especially in Queens” said Queens Theatre Executive Director Taryn Sacramone. “For Queens Theatre, this funding will enable us to do a transformational renovation of our mainstage - the Claire Shulman Theater - creating a modernized space with increased accessibility which will benefit artists, community partners and audiences for decades to come. Thank you to Mayor Eric Adams, DCLA Commissioner Laurie Cumbo, the City Council led by Speaker Adrienne Adams, Queensboro President Donovan Richards, and Council Member Lynn Schulman for recognizing the importance of Queen Theatre and other anchor organizations in the health and growth of the communities we serve.”

“We believe that the city's investments in our local cultural infrastructure will elevate spirits, support families, revitalize our economy and strengthen the future of the city of New York,” said Sally Tallant, President and Executive Director of the Queens Museum. “We thank the Adams administration for sharing this vision with us and for supporting our work as we develop a multilingual, intergenerational arts and culture learning center - a Queens Children's Museum - as a part of the completion of the Queens Museum.”

“We are thrilled to receive critical capital funds which will facilitate the creation of a beautiful new Pavilion Garden at the Queens Botanical Garden. This new garden will activate an underutilized section of QBG along College Point Boulevard, and bring opportunities for visitors of all ages and backgrounds to engage with nature, learn about sustainable gardening, and find peaceful respite in busy downtown Flushing,” said Evie Hantzopoulos, Executive Director, Queens Botanical Garden.

Today’s event also featured a performance from Queens-based Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, which frequently performs at Queens Theatre.

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About NYC Department of Cultural Affairs

The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is dedicated to supporting and strengthening New York City’s vibrant cultural life. DCLA works to promote and advocate for quality arts programming and to articulate the contribution made by the cultural community to the City’s vitality. The Department represents and serves non-profit cultural organizations involved in the visual, literary, and performing arts; public-oriented science and humanities institutions including zoos, botanical gardens, and historic and preservation societies; and creative artists at all skill levels who live and work within the City’s five boroughs. DCLA also provides donated materials for arts programs offered by the public schools and cultural and social service groups, and commissions permanent works of public art at City-funded construction projects throughout the five boroughs. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/culture.