16 North Shore Towers Courier n April 2013 ART SPACE Queens Museum gets a makeover BY MAGGIE HAYES The Queens Museum of Art is getting a hefty makeover – come fall of this year, the international art space will double in size. “. . . This is a time of tremendous change for the Queens Museum,” said executive director Tom Finkelpearl. Come October, the institution will total 105,000-square-feet, complete with a suite of new art galleries, artist studios, flexible public and special event spaces, education classrooms, a new café, back-of-house facilities and visitor amenities. Additionally, the west façade facing Grand Central Parkway has been completely redesigned with a new entrance and drop-off plaza, as well as a tremendous glass wall easily visible from the roadway. This entrance is also features a multi-colored lighting system and will eventually present commissioned art projects. The project, totaling $68 million, also includes another new entrance and expanded outdoor space on the side of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, which will include a skylit atrium. “All of this will allow people to still be in the museum, while outside in the park,” said David Strauss, director of external affairs. Finkelpearl noted that despite the significant changes coming to the museum, what will remain constant is their dedication to “openness and engagement.” “We designed a dynamic space that reflects our overall philosophy and allows us to broaden our current slate of public programs, introduce innovative initiatives, and create wonderful opportunities for new participants and longtime visitors to enjoy our unique brand of museum experience,” he said. The Queens Museum of Art is also slashing the last half of its name, and becoming simply the Queens Museum. At a legislative breakfast on Friday, March 22, members of the museum hosted dozens of elected officials and community leaders from around the borough, hoping to galvanize their participation and support for the new project. The expansion thus far is supported by Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s office, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Borough President Helen Marshall’s office, the state, City Council and donations from private individuals and corporations. “It’s up to the business community to step up and help support these institutions,” said Strauss. “We want them to understand that a true publicprivate partnership makes progress like ours possible and successful.” Congressmember Joseph Crowley recalled growing up in the borough, always enjoying the surrounding park and all that it has to offer. “This museum is a jewel of many jewels here,” he said. City Councilmember Julissa Ferreras, longtime supporter of the museum, acknowledged the institution’s attempts to think outside the box, bringing new and innovational programs with its expansion. “You can’t have community without culture,” she said, getting tearyeyed. “We’ve been able to strike up new walls, and put in embracing walls for all of Queens.” Following the completion of Phase 1, work for Phase 2 will begin, projected to be done within 12 to 18 months. “The Metropolitan Museum of Art better watch out,” said Marshall.
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