Municipal Art Society of New York

The Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS), founded in 1893, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) membership organization that fights for a more livable New York and advocates for intelligent urban planning, design and preservation.

MAS was born when a group of architects, painters, sculptors and civic leaders came together to create murals and monuments for New York’s public spaces. After the turn of the century, MAS took on the larger role bringing the voice of public conscience to debates about the design of the city’s municipal buildings, parks and monuments, the public responsibilities of private developers, and the preservation of the city’s landmarks and historic districts.

MAS has fostered the creation of many public institutions that serve to maintain the culture and diversity of New York City; these entities include the Planning Commission, the Art Commission and the Landmarks Preservation Commission. MAS has also served as the incubator for multiple civic and arts organizations including the Public Art Fund, the New York Landmarks Conservancy, P.S. 1, the Historic Districts Council, the Park Avenue Armory Conservancy and, most recently, the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance. Additionally, through our Adopt-A-Monument and Adopt-A-Mural programs, MAS has restored countless public sculptures and murals throughout the five boroughs.

MAS has been a leader in some highly prominent developments in recent years, which include a new park located at Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island, Moynihan Station and the annual public memorial honoring the victims of September 11, 2001,Tribute in Light.

The work MAS does continues to reflect a deep commitment to the process of community-based planning in low and moderate-income neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs, as well inspiring young New Yorkers to get involved in shaping the city’s future. Through their Livable Neighborhoods program MAS has provided a wide variety of planning workshops as well as professional advice to New Yorkers who want to help shape the future of their neighborhoods. With MAS’ CITI Youth, MAS’ innovative internship program, high school students in New York’s low- and moderate-income neighborhoods have the opportunity to assist their local community boards — and discover new horizons for themselves.