New York City has allocated $26.4 million to complete the Queens Museum’s expansion project, which includes the construction of a new space for a children’s museum.
The expansion involves creating a dedicated children’s museum space focused on art and culture in Queens, expanding the museum’s classrooms, providing secure artwork storage, and improving the venue’s energy efficiency.
“The Queens Museum is a world-class institution, and this funding will help them grow and develop their footprint in Queens and throughout the city,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Queens creating children’s museum
“Arts and culture are not just the key to our recovery from COVID-19 – they are the key to nurturing the talent, curiosity, and creativity that will keep New York City the most vibrant city in the world.”
In November 2013, the Queens Museum completed the first phase of its expansion project, adding 50,000 square feet of galleries, event spaces, educational areas and visitor amenities.
The second and final phase also includes a Family Art Lab that covers 5,500 square feet, a storage vault of 2,600 square feet, and back house spaces for offices and exhibition preparation.
Sally Tallant, president and executive director of the Queens Museum, promised to deliver a “multilingual, intergenerational arts and culture learning center”, as well as “a Queens Children’s Museum”.
Final phase of expansion project
“As we begin to look past the economic, social and health crisis of COVID, perhaps no better investment can be made than investment in our local cultural infrastructure,” she said.
The project will “elevate spirits, support families, revitalize our economy and showcase our faith in the future of the city of New York and in New Yorkers”, according to Tallant.
“I could not be more excited to have worked with our partners to turn the Queens Museum’s longtime dream of a space dedicated to our borough’s kids into a reality,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr.
Images: Queens Museum