Municipal Art Society of New York Events, MAS NYC, Buildings, Manhattan News

Municipal Art Society of New York : NYC Events

Art and Architecture in New York City – Events NY, USA

Feb 22, 2012

Municipal Art Society Event

MAS New York

What would it take to make New York the most livable city in the world? How successful have recent administrations been in moving things in that direction – in managing commercial and other large-scale development, improving transportation, making the built environment more climate-friendly, developing the waterfront, preserving historic landmarks and neighborhoods, and engaging the public? What are the key issues future administrations will confront?

For almost 120 years, the Municipal Art Society has fought for and fostered intelligent, thoughtful urban planning and design in New York City, producing studies, providing expert testimony, hosting conferences and forging coalitions.

Location: Municipal Art Society, 111 w57th St. (b/w 6th + 7th) – 16th Fl.

The Municipal Art Society of New York

The Municipal Art Society has fought for and fostered intelligent, thoughtful urban planning and design for almost 120 years, producing studies, providing expert testimony, hosting conferences, forging coalitions. Some of its greatest hits include saving Grand Central Station and Radio City Music Hall from the wrecking ball, preventing Times Square from being turned into a sterile office strict, establishing the NYC Planning Commission, championing the city’s first municipal zoning code, helping create New York’s Landmarks Preservation Law and producing Tribute In Light.

More recent activities include holding design charrettes that bring together experts from all along the design and development continuum, such as last summer’s charrette on the East Side Waterfront; hosting public forums, like the annual Summit for New York City conference at which the critical urban planning issues of the day are discussed and debated by decision-makers and those who influence them; championing infrastructure improvements, like Moynihan Station, that have the potential to transform how the city functions; weighing in on the pros and cons of local institutions’ development plans, like NYU’s “core” project; and rallying support to maintain the character and economic vitality of New York’s great neighborhoods, like the Garment District (there’s lots more).

Vin Cipolla, President

Vin Cipolla’s background gives him unique insight into how to resolve the natural tensions between the public and private spheres. A six-time corporate CEO and an entrepreneur with three successful businesses under his belt, he is also the former president of the National Park Foundation (a Presidential appointment) and the former executive vice president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. As chairman of Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art for almost a decade, he spearheaded the development of the museum’s acclaimed new building – Diller Scofidio + Renfro’s first U.S. commission.

Since becoming president of the Municipal Art Society in 2009, Vin has testified before the City Council, New York State’s economic development corporation, and New York City’s governing bodies for planning, landmarks, zoning, environmental affairs, waterfront development and parks. His work brings him into frequent contact with senior city officials, including planning commissioner Amanda Burden and landmarks preservation commissioner Robert Tierney, as well as community leaders, developers, architects, preservationists and landscape designers.

photo © Joe Lekas