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HISTORY
Socrates Sculpture Park was an abandoned riverside landfill
and illegal dumpsite until 1986 when a coalition of artists
and community members, under the leadership of sculptor Mark
di Suvero, transformed it into an open studio and exhibition
space for artists and a neighborhood park for local residents.
Today it is an internationally renowned outdoor museum and
artist residency program that also serves as a vital New York
City park offering a wide variety of public resources.
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MISSION
Socrates Sculpture Park is the only site in the New York
Metropolitan area specifically dedicated to providing artists
with opportunities to create and exhibit large-scale sculpture
and multi-media installations in a unique environment that
encourages strong interaction between artists, artworks and
the public. The Park’s existence is based on the belief
that reclamation, revitalization and creative expression are
essential to the survival, humanity and improvement of our
urban environment.
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PROGRAMS
Socrates Sculpture Park is open year-round and attracts over
50,000 visitors annually. All programs at the Park –
including the exhibitions, concerts, performances, summer
film series, yoga and tai chi classes, special events and
education programs – are free of charge. The Park is
a place where people can see changing exhibitions of contemporary
sculpture by some of the world’s most renowned artists
and some of the most promising new talents, and where they
can enjoy nature, walk their dogs, go fishing – and
where children can play.
Components of the Exhibition Program, the Outdoor Studio
Program and the Emerging Artist Fellowship Program are among
the most important initiatives at the Park. Through the Outdoor
Studio Program, Socrates provides artists with funding, studio
space, technical assistance, and access to materials, tools
and equipment. The Emerging Arts Fellowship Program supports
artists through a residency in the outdoor studio, a stipend
and technical support. Both programs culminate with the inclusion
of the artists’ work in an exhibition in the Park.
The Education Program at Socrates Sculpture Park was founded
in 1990 and now offers a multi-faceted series of programs
that consist of in school, after school and summer art workshops,
tours and internships for artists and arts administrators.
The Park serves a diverse cross-section of the community and,
for many children and adults, it provides a fundamental and
primary art experience.
Through the Community Works Initiative Program, Socrates
provides direct financial return to the community by training
and employing residents from the neighboring Astoria and Queensbridge
housing projects.
Since 1999 Socrates Sculpture Park has presented a summer
Film Series in conjunction with Partnerships for Parks. These
evenings of open-air cinema celebrate the cultural diversity
of Queens through international film, music, dance and food.
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AWARDS
In recognition for its contributions to both the international
art world and the local community in Queens, Socrates Sculpture
Park has received many awards. In 2001, Socrates was named
“Best Sculpture Park” by the Village Voice. In
2000, the Park was awarded both the New York State Governor’s
Arts Award and a Special Citation from the American Institute
of Architects New York Chapter. In 1998, the Park received
a National Recognition Award from the America the Beautiful
Fund and in 1995, it was named a “Great American Place”,
selected as one of 63 specially recognized sites from around
the country that are exemplary models of our built environment.
In 1988, the City Club of New York awarded Socrates the Albert
Bard Award in Architecture and Urban Design and in 1987, the
Park received a Doris Freedman Award from the Mayor of the
City of New York for greatly enriching the public environment.
The Park has also been recognized by the Art Commission of
the City of New York with a 1985 special recognition award.
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Getting there by Subway
Take the N or W train to the Broadway stop in Queens and walk
eight blocks along Broadway toward the East River.
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