Bloomberg Philanthropies Supports Community Art to Keep NYC on the Cultural Edge
Scheduled to open at Hudson Yards in New York City in the spring of 2019, the Shed received a $75 million gift from Michael Bloomberg's Bloomberg Philanthropies last year. Earlier this month, came word of a new $45 million infusion to the center from a donor who made his fortune in, ironically enough, Los Angeles.
As the larger visual arts world increasingly turns its attention towards issues like fighting inequality and engaging diverse audiences, the Shed's mission has come into sharper focus as of late, particularly after Daniel L. Doctoroff, the Shed’s board chairman and president, was instructed by Bloomberg to "do something that will keep New York on the cultural edge."
To that end, McCourt's gift coincided with news that the Shed will continue to expand its pre-opening commissioning program to embrace multidisciplinary artists. For instance, DIS OBEY, developed for participants ages 16 to 19, will explore and provide space for protest and creative action through writing, storytelling, and visual art workshops...