A.R.T./New York To Build Two New 99 Seat Theaters

The Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York (A.R.T./New York), the leadership and advocacy organization for more than 300 of New York City's not-for-profit theatres, announced today that it will construct two much-needed 99-seat theatres -- to be designed by noted architect Toshiko Mori -- at the Archstone-Clinton development located at 53rd Street and 10th Avenue in Manhattan. According to Ginny Louloudes, Executive Director of A.R.T./New York, the design and construction of the theatres is made possible by the City of New York, which provided over $14 million to the project.

The theaters are scheduled to open in early 2013, and will be available for rental at subsidized rates to A.R.T./New York's theater members who perform in spaces with 99-seats or less.

Ms. Mori, who is the Robert P. Hubbard Professor in the Practice of Architecture with tenure at Harvard University Graduate School of Design and was the chair of the Department of Architecture from 2002 to 2008, was selected from 14 architectural firms that applied to design the new facility.

A.R.T./New York's Archstone-Clinton mixed-use development project is made possible through the generous funding of the City of New York, through the offices of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, The City Council under the leadership of Speaker Christine Quinn and Finance Committee Chair Domenic Recchia, and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer. Additional funding was provided by the New York State Assembly through the offices of Speaker Sheldon Silver and Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal, The Dermot Corporation, which developed the Archstone-Clinton residential and commercial space, and the A.R.T./New York board.

The Archstone-Clinton project represents A.R.T./New York's third real estate undertaking in a single decade and comes at a noteworthy time in the company's 38-year history: In April it was announced that A.R.T./New York is the recipient of a special 2010 Tony Honor for Excellence, given each year to individuals and/or organizations that have demonstrated extraordinary achievements in theatre. A.R.T./New York will receive its Tony Honor as part of the 64th annual Tony Awards celebration at a special ceremony on Saturday, June 12, 2010 in New York City.

According to Kate Levin, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, "In creating two 99-seat theatres to be used by many companies each year, A.R.T./New York once again shows great leadership and vision. By providing crucial support for our theater community, this public-private partnership will help our City remain a nexus of creativity and innovation."

Christine Quinn, New York City Council Speaker adds, "A.R.T./New York, a champion of support for the arts, is once again leading the way with this visionary project. These theaters will add a great deal to the community and will foster New York's already world-renowned cultural vibrancy. I'm so very proud to have helped make this project a reality."

For A.R.T./New York, the theatres at Archstone-Clinton follow the organization's two previous, highly-successful real estate projects for not-for-profit theater companies: in 2000 the organization bought a federal mansion in Fort Greene, Brooklyn and transformed it into affordable rehearsal studios and office space for 22 theatre companies. As South Oxford Space's popularity grew and demand exceeded space availability, A.R.T./New York sought a second space in Manhattan and, in 2002, signed a 20-year lease on 36,000 square feet of space at 520 Eighth Avenue. Today, Spaces at 520 provides 5 affordable rehearsal studios and below-market office space for 25 member companies.

"The construction of these new theaters represents a strong partnership between the city, the state, and the Alliance of Resident Theatres," said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. "These mixed-use spaces, in addition to providing artists a place to perform and enhancing the already-rich culture of Manhattan, will encourage economic development and tourism in New York. The Assembly's support of the Archstone-Clinton project represents our commitment to preserving the city's reputation as a leader in the performing arts."

"For more than three decades, A.R.T./New York has done an amazing job providing a wide range of important services to the city's artistic community, from loans to cash grants to shared office space in Brooklyn and Manhattan," said Councilman Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., Chairman of the City Council's Finance Committee, and former chairman of the Cultural Affairs Committee. "An expansion into a shared theater space is a natural progression, and we are thrilled to support them."

Assembly member Linda B. Rosenthal added, "Having worked closely with A.R.T./New York for many years now, I truly admire its work in providing essential services to the theater community. Whether advocating for additional support for the arts in Albany; briefing Community Boards on the importance of small theaters to New York City's economy, or providing elected officials with critical information on the challenges facing its membership, A.R.T./New York has become the link between its theaters and their elected officials in Albany. I am thrilled to support their most ambitious effort to date."

The design and construction of A.R.T./New York's theatres at Archstone-Clinton will be managed by NYC's Department of Design and Construction. DDC issued the Request for Proposal (RFP) as part of its Design and Construction Excellence Program. The review process, which involved representatives of A.R.T./New York, DCA and DDC, resulted in the selection of Toshiko Mori.The design and construction of A.R.T./New York's theatres at Archstone-Clinton

Ms. Mori, who is the Robert P. Hubbard Professor in the Practice of Architecture with tenure at Harvard University Graduate School of Design and was the chair of the Department of Architecture from 2002 to 2008, was selected from among 14 architectural firms holding DDC Design Excellence contracts. "We are proud to have made the "match" between A.R.T./New York and Toshiko Mori," said David J. Burney, FAIA, Commissioner of the Department of Design, Develoment and Construction. "Ms. Mori is engaged in a number of projects for us, but this will be her first theatre. All of us look forward to seeing what this talented architect will design for A.R.T./New York and its
member companies."

In addition to her tenured position with Harvard University, Ms. Mori is the principal of Toshiko Mori Architect, which she established in 1981 in New York City. Mori taught at the Cooper Union School of Architecture from 1983, until joining the Harvard GSD faculty in 1995. Mori's strong research-based approach to design has been commended in awards and invitations to lectures and exhibitions around the world. In the fall of 2005, her work was exhibited in "Renewing Wright" at the Heinz Architectural Center of the Carnegie Museum of Pittsburgh. Her profile, "Postscripts: Building on Sacred Ground", appeared in The New York Times in May 2005.

James Van Bramer, Chair of the City Council's Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations added, "Today marks a great achievement in the continued success of New York City's culture and theater," said Council Member Van Bramer. "The cultural contributions of the Archstone-Clinton project will enrich the vitality of our great city and further
secure our position as the cultural metropolis of the world."

The Archstone-Clinton mixed-use theatre complex is already the new home of the 52nd Street Project. A.R.T./New York's vision for the theatres at Archstone-Clinton is to provide the most flexible and equipped performance spaces for its 175 member companies who perform in 99-seat or less theatre spaces. Rather than have fixed theatres that limit the imagination of writers and
directors, A.R.T./New York has asked Ms. Mori to design spaces that allow for ultimate flexibility with respect to performance space; audience seating and the use of light.

According to architect Toshiko Mori, "It is extremely important that this space inspires creativity and continues to foster and promote vibrant emerging talents in theater. It is exciting for me to be able to contribute to the mission of A.R.T. New York and it is my honor and privilege to be a part of
this wonderful project."

The timing of A.R.T./New York's design phase of Archstone-Clinton coincides with its "Theatres Leading Change" project, funded by the Rockefeller Foundation's New York City Cultural Innovation Fund. Through "Theatres Leading Change," the organization will explore new models for its member theatres. Information gleaned from the Rockefeller initiative will inform the design of the rehearsal, performance and public spaces of the new theatres.

"To receive this Special Tony Honor at a time when we are launching Archstone-Clinton and helping our theatres adapt to the current economic challenges, is a dream come true," explained Ginny Louloudes. "We are deeply grateful to the American Theatre Wing, the Broadway League and the Tony Nominating Committee (is that the right committee to thank?) for selecting A.R.T./New York for this amazing honor."

Founded in 1972 by 44 theatre companies (including Playwrights Horizons, Repertorio Espanol, Classic Stage Company, INTAR, Manhattan Theatre Club, and Negro Ensemble Company) A.R.T./New York assists member theaters in managing their companies effectively so they may realize their rich artistic visions and serve their diverse audiences well. Over the years, A.R.T./New York has earned a reputation as a leader in providing progressive services to its members - from shared office and rehearsal spaces, to the Elizabeth Steinway Chapin Fund, the nation's only revolving cash-flow loan for theatre construction/renovation; a cash flow loan fund, grants to small theatres to technical assistance programs for emerging theatres - which have made the organization an expert in the needs of the Off Off Broadway community. Since 1993 the Chapin Fund has made over $5 million in loans to A.R.T./New York's members, including New York Theatre Workshop, the Signature Theatre, HERE Arts Center, 2nd Stage Theatre, Irish Rep, Dance Theatre Workshop, and Dixon Place.