11 community news BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO Astoria is ready for the world to know it’s the place to be for the arts. The western Queens neighborhood gathered March 28 to celebrate the announcement of the designation of the Kaufman Arts District, the first of its kind in the borough. The district was created in partnership with Kaufman Astoria Studios, the Museum of the Moving Image, and the Queens Council on the Arts. During the announcement, the partners of the arts district received a proclamation from Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer on behalf of the City Council. The mission of the arts district will be “to advance and promote the area as a world class vibrant cultural destination and home for creative industries,” officials said. “This corner of Queens has quickly become a vibrant community of cultural venues and arts organizations that have attracted some of our generation’s greatest artists,” Van Bramer said. The Kaufman Arts District will span from 31st Street to the west, 34th Avenue to the north, Steinway Street to the east, and 37th Avenue to the south. “Over the years, Kaufman Astoria and western Queens have blossomed side by side into a citywide landmark and a neighborhood that doubles as a world-class destination for the arts,” Senator Michael Gianaris said. Within the boundaries of the Kaufman Arts District are the Museums of the Moving Image, The Astor Room, Studio Square NYC, the Queens Council on the Arts, the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, UA Kaufman Astoria Cinemas, the Astoria Performing Arts Center, and the Theater Development Fund’s Costume Collection. “The creation of this arts district opens the community to more opportunities to experience the extensive creative activity in our midst,” said Carl Goodman, executive director of Museum of the Moving Image. “We’re going to really work together to bring this neighborhood to the next level.” Bob Singleton, executive director of the Greater Astoria Historical Society and Astoria resident for 40 years, believes the new art district is confirming what has been taking place in the Astoria and Long Island City neighborhoods for years. “I’m just so excited that Kaufman Astoria Studios affirmed the things we have been talking about for many years,” Singleton said. “People will want to come here and be a part of it. It’s just a right move at the right time for the community. It’s just the first big step of what we will be seeing in the future.” Singleton also added that the communities have always been a place for artists and artisans to come live and work. One example is Steinway & Sons, which decided to make Astoria home to its piano factory. He also hopes more areas will begin to establish the same kind of districts. “There is a tradition of this community being a place where artists and artisans come together and inspire each other,” Singleton said. “Astoria and Long Island City are going to be the next Greenwich Village of New York.” For more information on the arts district, visit www.kaufmanartsdistrict.org. KAUFMAN ARTS DISTRICT First of its kind in Queens Elected officials and western Queens leaders announced the designation of the Kaufman Arts District in Astoria, the first of its kind in the borough. Photo by Angy Altamirano
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