History of the Municipal Art Society of New York
It was in 1893 that a group of architects, painters, sculptors and civic leaders came together to create murals and monuments for New York’s public spaces–hence the name “Municipal Art Society.” After the turn of the century, however, MAS took on the larger role bringing the voice of public conscience to debates about the design of the city’s municipal buildings, parks and monuments, the public responsibilities of private developers, and the preservation of the city’s landmarks and historic districts.
MAS has fostered the creation of many public institutions that serve to maintain the culture and diversity of New York City. We fostered the creation of the Planning Commission, the Art Commission and the Landmarks Preservation Commission, and served as the incubator for multiple civic and arts organizations including the Public Art Fund, the New York Landmarks Conservancy, P.S. 1, the Historic Districts Council, the Park Avenue Armory Conservancy and, most recently, the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance.
Additionally, through our Adopt-A-Monument and Adopt-A-Mural programs, MAS has restored countless public sculptures and murals throughout the five boroughs.
Early 1900s
During a time of industrial growth, and the development of the boroughs, MAS helped plan the city’s subway lines as well as champion the first municipal Zoning Code (1916).
Mid 1900s
Leading the way for preservation, MAS pioneered the Landmarks Preservation Law, in 1965, which served as a model for many other cities.
It was also during this time that MAS fought many of the great preservation battles that saved some of New York’s most treasured places. In the mid-1970s, MAS prevented the construction of a 55-story office building on top of Grand Central Terminal and led a successful campaign, all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, to defend New York City’s landmarks preservation ordinance, which protected Grand Central. A few years later, MAS fought the demolition of Radio City Music Hall.
The 1980s and 90s
During the 1980s, when the city proposed a plan to transform Times Square into a sterile office district, MAS led a campaign to preserve the famed “crossroads of the world” as an entertainment district, and to save the array of bright signs essential to Times Square’s character. As a result, a 1987 amendment was made to the Midtown district zoning laws requiring the facades of all new buildings to be decorated with illuminated signs.
The Municipal Art Society of Today
MAS has been a leader in some highly prominent developments in recent years, which include a new park located at Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island, Moynihan Station and the annual public memorial honoring the victims of September 11, 2001,Tribute in Light
Additionally, our work continues to reflect a deep commitment to the process of community-based planning in low and moderate-income neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs, as well inspiring young New Yorkers to get involved in shaping the city’s future. Through our Livable Neighborhoods program we have provided a wide variety of planning workshops as well as professional advice to New Yorkers who want to help shape the future of their neighborhoods. With MAS’ CITI Youth, our innovative internship program, high school students in New York’s low- and moderate-income neighborhoods have the opportunity to assist their local community boards — and discover new horizons for themselves.
No view of MAS would be complete without mention of our many outstanding popular programs, including our exhibitions, lectures and long-popular architectural walking tours. More than 10,000 people a year join our urban historians to gain a deeper appreciation of the fabric of their city.