The final piece of the Museum of the Moving Image’s expansion and renovation project is in place.
On June 18, local officials, museum representatives and members of the community gathered for a dedication ceremony for the museum’s recently completed outdoor courtyard. It will be named after museum trustee George Kaufman, who is also chair of Kaufman Astoria Studios and the Kaufman Organization, a real estate company.
“My vision for the neighborhood was to create a vibrant, full-service production center and have the studio become the catalyst for neighborhood growth,” said Kaufman. “Today, that vision has become a reality.
The 10,370-square-foot Kaufman Courtyard is the final part of the $2.5 million project designed by Leeser Architecture. The landscaped courtyard garden will include space for an outdoor cafe and offer open-air screenings, exhibitions and special events. The new area will also have a drop-off zone for school buses, a dedicated entrance for school groups and extra room for students to gather during their visits.
The Department of Cultural Affairs, Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer and the City of New York provided $1.25 million in funding, while Kaufman donated $1 million for the project. The remaining funds came from private contributions.
“From the beginning, I believed these enhancements would heighten the Museum of the Moving Image’s prominence as a world-renowned cultural institution,” said Van Bramer. “Not only will millions of visitors from around the world get to enjoy this newly designed open-air courtyard, but so will local residents who share this neighborhood with one of our city’s greatest cultural institutions.”
(Photo courtesy the Museum of the Moving Image)
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