For immediate release:
Monday, October 20, 2008

Contact:
Elizabeth Rapuano (GIPEC): 212-440-2205 (office)
Savannah Gorton (LMCC): 212-219-9401 x118 (office)


Artist Studio Program to Open on Governors Island  
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council to open year-round program In May 2009

The Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) today announced that the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) will open an artist studio and exhibition space on Governors Island. LMCC will establish a full-time, year-round presence of working artists on the Island. They will create studio space for visual and performing artists and program a robust schedule of exhibitions and events to draw new and diverse audiences.

The studio space and exhibition programs will open on Governors Island in May of 2009. Artists participating in LMCC’s studio program will work on the Island year-round. In addition, artists’ exhibitions and performances will take place when Governors Island is open to the public from May to October. When the studio program opens, it will mark the first time that people will come to work on Governors Island who do not directly work for the Island itself.

“We are so pleased that the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council will bring their long tradition of reactivating spaces to Governors Island,” said GIPEC Chair, Avi Schick. “Today’s announcement marks another important step in the redevelopment of the Island.”

“We welcome LMCC to Governors Island,” said GIPEC Vice Chair Dan Doctoroff. “Their studio space and exhibition programs will provide great opportunities not only for artists and the cultural community, but for all of the Island’s visitors.”

The creation of artist studio space and exhibition programs is the latest example of how the arts are reactivating Governors Island. During the 2008 public access season, which ended October 12, Governors Island welcomed a record 128,000 visitors. They came to enjoy Olafur Eliasson’s The New York City Waterfalls, and other arts-related programs and activities, including Figment, artist designed miniature golf, art exhibitions, dance performances and concerts.

LMCC responded to a Request for Proposals (RFP) that GIPEC issued in July. The permit granted as a result of the RFP is for Building 110, a historic building located a short distance from the ferry landing on the Island. LMCC will occupy 14,000 square feet on the building’s main floor. Building 110’s location on the Island’s north shore offers incredible views of Lower Manhattan and New York Harbor.

“The artists participating in LMCC's program in Building 110 will be coming to the island every work day," noted Leslie Koch. "And with the Harbor School opening in the fall of 2010, the Island is beginning to welcome year round tenants. These artists and students, in addition to the tens of thousands of New Yorkers who enjoy its green space, programs and views during the Island's public access season, are helping to bring the Island back to life.”

“This fabulous new program, in concert with GIPEC, will build on LMCC's long experience establishing and organizing artist studios, beginning in 1997 with the World Views program in the World Trade Center,” said Cherrie Nanninga, LMCC Board Chair.

“LMCC is thrilled to bring the artist studio program to Governors Island,” said Maggie Boepple, President of LMCC. “The program will provide artists with much-needed work space and create opportunities for the public to experience site-specific work and exhibitions. We look forward to developing these spaces and supporting the vision to transform the Island into a cultural destination.”

LMCC, building on its extensive experience in creating these programs, plans to host up to three performing artists, dance or theatre ensembles and up to 20 visual artists in studios at one time. The time that artists will use the studio space will vary between three weeks to three months throughout the year. All artists will be required to prepare a public presentation of their work.

LMCC will schedule exhibition programs and events when the Island is open to the public. Events will include master classes, open rehearsals, workshops, open air performances and presentations. The studio and exhibition program will serve both artists and the public by providing space to create and display their work and the opportunity for the public to experience it.

The creation of the artist studio and exhibition program on Governors Island is the most recent step in its redevelopment. As previously announced, the New York Harbor School, a New York City public high school, is the Island’s first permanent tenant. Construction on the Harbor School building is underway and the school will open on Governors Island in 2010. In addition, the design of Governors Island’s future park and promenade got underway this fall. The park master plan will be released in the spring of 2009.

About the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC)
The Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) is responsible for the planning, redevelopment, and ongoing operations for 150 acres of Governors Island. A partnership of New York City and New York State, GIPEC seeks to bring Governors Island back to life, making this island at the center of New York Harbor a destination with great public open space, as well as future education, not for profit and commercial facilities. For more information please visit www.govisland.com.

About the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council

Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has been a leading voice for arts and culture Downtown and throughout New York City for 35 years, producing cultural events and promoting the arts through residencies, grants, services, advocacy, and cultural development programs.