Governors Island's 40,000-Square-Foot Art Center Opens

GOVERNORS ISLAND, NY — Governors Island first permanent, year-round arts and cultural space opened Thursday.

The new arts center will house artists in year-long residencies and host various free arts and educational events, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and the Trust for Governors Island announced Thursday.

"As the island’s first permanent cultural tenant, LMCC will provide a vibrant space for art creation and enjoyment for Governors Island visitors," Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been said in a statement.

"Moreover, the center will have an outsized role in giving artists and audiences from diverse backgrounds an opportunity to participate in the City’s thriving arts scene," Been said.

The 40,000-square-foot, 1870s warehouse was renovated to make way for artist studios, two floors of galleries, performance and rehearsal space and a cafe, according to a release. It will be open Thursday through Sunday noon to 5 p.m. for the island's remaining public season this year.

Artists' works exploring ecology, sustainability and history will be on display for the first season —with exhibitions by Yto Barrada with guest artist Bettina and Michael Wang and artists of The Take Care Series.

"In a time where the dangers of climate change are increasingly dire, we need more discussion of our relationship with nature and the environment," Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou said in a statement.

"The exhibits and workshops at the Arts Center will help facilitate these discussions between artists and the public with issues relevant to Governors Island and New York City at large," Niou said.

Here's more information.