Frank Sinatra High School Principal Donna Finn, left, Assemblywoman Margaret Markey, Kaufman Astoria Studio President Hal Rosenbluth, City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, state Sen. Michael Gianaris, and Museum of the Moving Image Director Carl Goodman mark the designation of the Kaufman Arts Districts last week. Photo courtesy NYS Assembly
A new art district designation has western Queens keeping its cool.
Community leaders and elected officials hailed the designation of the Kaufman Arts District in Astoria Friday, celebrating the creative space as a booming borough attraction surrounding the famous Kaufman Astoria Studios. The city worked for years alongside Kaufman, the Museum of the Moving Image and the Queens Council on the Arts to establish the artistic district bordered by 31st Street, 34th Street, Steinway Street and 37th Avenue.
“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,” said City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside), who emceed the event in a dashing red ringmaster costume.
Van Bramer was first appointed to the Council’s Cultural Affairs Committee in 2010 and has since worked with various arts groups to attract more attention to the western Queens hotspot.
“Today, we solidify the Kaufman Arts District as one of New York City’s premiere destinations for arts and culture,” he said. “Within the borough’s first official arts district, our goals will be to nurture existing artists and arts organizations, to draw additional cutting edge arts groups here and to create an environment in which artistic work will flourish.”
Elected officials presented Kaufman Astoria Studios President Hal Rosenbluth with an official Council proclamation in celebration of the designation, making it official. The new district would not yet be receiving any special city dollars, but Van Bramer said the area would soon receive new street signs in accordance with the designation.
“We are very proud to call this community home for so many years,” Rosenbluth said. “And we are thrilled that it is being recognized this way for its unique contributions to the creative spirit.”
State Assemblywoman Margaret Markey (D-Maspeth) has served as chair of the legislative body’s Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development Committee and said the designation was nothing but good news for both the borough and the city.
“This designation is recognition of the strong concentration of important cultural and creative resources that have emerged here over recent years,” Markey said. “The Kaufman Arts District promises to become a magnet that will bring more media and creative jobs to Astoria, plus an increased level of artistic activity and larger audiences. It all adds up to a tremendous resource for Queens and New York City.”
Kaufman Astoria Studios was built in 1920 and once served as headquarters for Paramount Pictures. Some of Hollywood’s biggest productions have since filmed at the studio, including “Orange is the New Black,” “Nurse Jackie,” and Men In Black 3.”
State Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan (D-Sunnyside) said the designation was particularly beneficial through the eyes of the Education Committee, for which she serves as the chairwoman.
“From Kaufman Astoria Studios to the Museum of the Moving Image and the wonderful schools such as Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, western Queens has become a cultural destination for all ages,” Nolan said.
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) has long advocated for Kaufman Astoria Studios and lauded the designation as proof that Queens can nurture a vibrant and artistic community.
“This neighborhood has always placed a large emphasis on the arts and promotes its importance through [the various nearby artistic institutions],” Schumer said in a statement. “Once again, [owner] George Kaufman has gone above and beyond to improve this thriving neighborhood.”
By Phil Corso
