Hispanic Society presents Capital Master Plan at a Legislative Breakfast

The Hon. Mark Levine, Council Member 7th District; the Hon. Ydanis Rodríguez, Council Member 10th District; and the Hon. Gale A. Brewer, Manhattan Borough President co-hosted a Legislative Breakfast and Presentation of the Capital Master Plan of the Hispanic Society Museum & Library on January 13th from 9:00 to 11:00 am at the Hispanic Society Museum & Library, located at Broadway between 155th and 156th streets. Philippe de Montebello, Chairman of the Hispanic Society, made the welcoming remarks and Mitchell A. Codding, Executive Director of the Hispanic Society, introduced the elected officials. Maria Romañach Architects presented the Master Plan of the Hispanic Society.

Among the guests were Tom Finkelpearl, Commissioner, Department of Cultural Affairs; Melissa Quesada, Director of Latino Affairs, Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo; Senator Bill Perkins; members of the Manhattan Community Board 12, local artists, educators and nonprofit and business leaders. The event concluded with a walk through the galleries with the architects.

Since its founding in 1904 by the American scholar and philanthropist Archer M. Huntington (1870-1955), the Hispanic Society has served its mission as a free public museum and library with the purpose of advancing the study and appreciation of the art, literature, and cultures of Spain, Portugal, Latin America and the Philippines. The Hispanic Society leadership, in partnership with Maria Romañach Architects, has been developing and implementing a Master Plan that strives to restore its landmark buildings, expand its facilities, upgrade the infrastructure, improve accessibility and public amenities, and enhance the visitors' experience. According to Council Member Mark Levine, "the restoration of this significant community asset in Upper Manhattan provides access to Hispanic masterworks for residents and visitors, and encourages further reinvestment in a neighborhood that boasts impressive pre-war architecture."

The present phase of the Master Plan, which will extend from January 2017 through the fall of 2019, involves the replacement of the Main Building roof and extensive upgrades to the Museum galleries and visitor facilities. During this period the Museum will be closed, but the Library will remain open by appointment and the free educational and public programs will continue off-site. In addition, the institution will present over 200 of the most exceptional artworks from its collection at the Prado Museum for the traveling exhibition Visions of the Hispanic World: Treasures from the Hispanic Society Museum & Library. The exhibition will run from April 4th through September 10, 2017, after which it will travel to museums in the United States.

The total cost of the present phase of the capital project is approximately $15 million, which will be funded in part by the New York City Council, the Office of the Manhattan Borough President, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The current project also includes the conservation of the bronze doors of the Hispanic Society's East Building, created by the American sculptor Berthold Nebel (1889-1964). The conservation of the doors is made possible by a grant from the American Express Foundation.

"It is with pleasure that I have and will continue to support the Hispanic Society, to ensure they have a home in Washington Heights for generations to come. It is my hope that more of our residents will engage with the Hispanic Society when their renovations are complete, to explore the many treasures this institution has to offer," said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez. According to the Manhattan Borough President, Gale A. Brewer, "the Hispanic Society provides free access to masterpieces of Hispanic culture to all New Yorkers and plays a significant role in attracting national and international visitors to the rich cultural scene in Upper Manhattan. I am excited about their capital project and the impact it will have on their mission and the city."

"This is a pivotal moment for the Hispanic Society as we preserve the legacy of our founder, Archer Milton Huntington, and present the greatest works in our collections at the Prado, while also revitalizing the facilities, expanding our programming, and broadening our audiences," said Mitchell A. Codding, Executive Director of the Hispanic Society.

ABOUT HISPANIC SOCIETY MUSEUM & LIBRARY

The Hispanic Society Museum & Library was founded in 1904 by Archer M. Huntington as a free public museum and library with the purpose of advancing the study and appreciation of the arts, literature, and cultures of the Hispanic world. Museum highlights include masterworks by El Greco, Velázquez, Goya, and Sorolla; sculpture by Pedro de Mena and Luisa Roldán; Latin American paintings by Vázquez, López de Arteaga, Rodríguez Juárez, and Campeche; as well as masterpieces in all areas of the decorative arts. The Hispanic Society offers a variety of free educational and public programs. The Hispanic Society was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2012 in recognition of the fundamental role it has played in the promotion of Hispanic art and culture for over a century.

For further information call 212.926.2234 or visit the Hispanic Society's website at www.hispanicsociety.org and follow the museum on www.facebook.com/hispanicsociety, www.twitter.com/HSAmuseum, and www.instagram.com/hispanic_society.