The Arts Center at Governors Island
LMCC’s Arts Center at Governors Island is a creative incubator featuring artist residency programs, and a space for exhibitions and public engagement. Work developed and presented at the Arts Center at Governors Island focuses on questions of ecology, sustainability, and resilience. Minutes away from Manhattan by ferry and located on the arcadia of Governors Island, the Arts Center offers artists a environment to create and develop work that is multifaceted in its uses and its programming, at once serene and contemplative, dynamic and exploratory.
We look forward to welcoming you back in summer 2021 with our new public season!
ABOUT THE BUILDING
Part of the ongoing transformation of New York's Governors Island into a vibrant cultural destination, this adaptive reuse of an 1870s munitions storage warehouse supports local artists while providing generous space for public exhibition and events.
To accommodate LMCC's programs, the design called for opening up the interior of the long and narrow two-story building and exposing and restoring the original truss structure, creating 40,000 square foot of flexible, loft-like space. The Arts Center includes a luminous main gallery on the upper level. Smaller rooms for performance, rehearsal, and exhibition as well as art studios arrayed on both levels enjoy abundant natural light. A new stair and elevator allow for integrated, accessible programming, and a cafe framed by an exposed-brick wall offers views of Lower Manhattan and the harbor. In addition to retaining much of the brick, wood, and steel from the existing building, the renovation incorporates energy-efficient systems throughout.
RECENT AWARDS
Winner, Cultural Projects, Global Design Awards - The Architecture Community
American Architecture Award - Chicago Athenaeum, 2020
Award of Merit, Cultural/Worship - Engineering News Record New York, 2020
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
Join LMCC's mailing list here for updates on programs and events at the Arts Center at Governors Island, artist opportunities, and free public programs.
2020 Season
For the 2020 season, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), The Trust for Governors Island, and 18 other cultural organizations with space on Governors Island joined forces to host temporary work space for artists and cultural practitioners that were affected by the COVID-19 crisis, in recognition of the pandemic's devastating impact on the NYC cultural landscape and supporting the artist communities embedded within.
Governors Island Residency Initiative in Response to COVID-19
As part of the new Governors Island Residency Initiative, LMCC provided free, temporary residency and work space at the Arts Center at Governors Island to eligible artists and small arts groups based throughout the five boroughs. Participating artists in the GI Residency Initiative include Abigail Donahue, Alexa Hoyer, Andres Santiago Pina, Anthony Huffman, Betsy Kenyon, Dena Igusti, Hsuan Yu Pan, Hyewon Park, Isaac Roller, Janelle Lawrence, Josef Pinlac, Katy McCarthy, KC Trommer, Kelly Marshall, Kosuke Kawahara, Madeleine Fia Matsson, Mingna Li, Nozomi Rose, Rhonda Weppler, Ryan D. Matthews, Selwyn V. Garraway, and Yin Ming Wong.
Arts Center Residency
Integral to LMCC's Arts Center at Governors Island are its year-round artist residency programs.
2019-2020 Artists-in-residence included Yto Barrada, Colleen Billing, Baris Gokturk, Hypokrit Theatre Company, Maya Jeffereis, Amy Khoshbin, Brendan Kiely, Hilary Lorenz, Jillian McDonald, Ander Mikalson, Lize Mogel, Aviva Rahmani, Leah Raintree, Aida Šehović, Aaron Suggs, Asiya Wadud, and Michael Wang.
The 2019 Fall season included exhibitions by Yto Barrada with guest artist Bettina and Michael Wang, as well as The Take Care Series, a fall public program that reframes art curation as a mindful practice stemming from the concept of care.
The Arts Center at Governors Island will reopen in summer 2021 with our new public season!
LMCC's Arts Center at Governors Island (map)
110 Andes Rd
New York, NY 10004
Transportation
LMCC's Arts Center is accessible by ferry, and is a one minute walk from Soissons Landing when arriving from Manhattan.
By ferry
LMCC’s Arts Center is accessible by ferries to Governors Island departing to and from Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. Our building is located to the right of Soissons Landing.
Ferries depart from Lower Manhattan at the Battery Maritime Building to Soissons Landing at Governors Island, and from Brooklyn at Brooklyn Bridge Park on a regular schedule throughout the public season.
Bikes are permitted on ferries. Please park your bikes in the racks located in front of the lower level entrance of LMCC’s Arts Center.
Directions to the Battery Maritime Building
The Battery Maritime Building is located at 10 South Street, adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal in Lower Manhattan. The ferry terminal is accessible as follows:
By Subway
1 to South Ferry station
4, 5 to Bowling Green station
R to Whitehall St. station
By Bus
M9, M15, and M15-SBS
For complete ferry schedules and directions to ferry terminals, visit the Governors Island website. All ferries are wheelchair-accessible.
Facilities
Restrooms and water fountains are located on both floors of LMCC’s Arts Center. All restrooms are accessible. Visitors may choose facilities consistent with their gender identity or expression.
All are welcome at LMCC’s Arts Center at Governors Island. Our building is accessible on the first floor entrance located next to Soissons Landing. Second floor access is available via the elevator on the first floor.
Facilities
Accessible restroom facilities are located on the first floor.
Service Animals
Service animals are permitted in the cafe, galleries and artist studios.
For Visitors with Low Vision
The visitor guide is available in large print. Please ask a Visitor Engagement staff member if you would like to receive a copy.
LMCC Visitor Engagement staff are available to answer any additional questions about accessibility.
Getting to Governors Island
All ferries going to and from Governors Island, as well as the grounds of the island itself, are accessible for all. For more information about transportation to Governors Island, visit the Trust for Governors Island website.
For further information about accessibility needs, or to let us know how we can provide a welcoming experience, please contact us at 212-219-9401 or email us at info@lmcc.net.
LMCC’s Arts Center is welcome to all. We ask that children under 12 are accompanied by an adult at all times.
Strollers
Strollers are permitted in the cafe and studios. Stroller access may be limited in areas with fragile sculptural elements. Under these circumstances, strollers can be left at the exhibit entrance.
Service Animals
Service animals are permitted in the galleries, cafe, and studios.
Personal Belongings
LMCC is not responsible for missing belongings. There is no area for checked bags. Please plan your visit accordingly.
Food and Drink
We ask that you please refrain from eating or drinking in the galleries. Water in sealed containers may be brought into the galleries. Food and drinks are permitted in the cafe.
Groups
For groups of 10 or more interested in visiting LMCC’S Arts Center at Governors Island, please contact Jasmin Tabatabaee at jasmin@lmcc.net
Photography
Non-flash, personal photography is welcomed in the Lower Level and Upper Level Galleries. Commercial and press photography requests should contact Sophie Lam at slam@lmcc.net.
Please note that visitors may be filmed/photographed. By visiting the Arts Center you grant the LMCC full rights to use for promotional and archival purposes. Please inform the photographer or staff member if you do not wish to have your photo taken.
Thank you to our supporters, who have made this important space for artists and audiences possible.
LMCC's Arts Center at Governors Island Supporters
As of 8/22/19
- American Express
- Michael and Elizabeth Ashworth
- Anna and Dean Backer
- Ken and Kim Blacklow
- Booth Ferris Foundation
- Will Bousquette
- Marcia and Noel Caban
- Charina Endowment Fund
- Alan M. Cohen
- Dell Technologies
- David P. Eisman
- Ford Foundation
- Edward C. Forst
- Dino and Anita Fusco
- Linda Genereux and Timur Galen
- Bari and Neil Goldmacher
- Anne and Alain Goldrach
- Nicole and Michael Graziano
- Francis Greenburger, CEO, Time Equities, Inc.
- Peter Gross
- Kevin and Shana Hoo
- Howard Gilman Foundation
- Stephanie and Tim Ingrassia
- Gregory James
- Meredith J. Kane
- Jill and Peter Kraus
- Gregg R. Lemkau
- Gwen R. Libstag
- Peter J. Lyon
- Alison J. Mass
- May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Inc.
- Matthew B. McClure
- Mertz Gilmore Foundation
- Richard Mines
- Christina P. Minnis
- Hans and Kate Morris
- Cherrie Nanninga
- New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature
- Paul Parker and Andrea Hagan
- Dusty Philip
- Peter Poulakakos
- Robert Lehman Foundation
- Luke A. Sarsfield, III
- Craig and Erin Schwitter
- Suhail A. Sikhtian
- David M. Solomon
- Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)
- Esta Stecher
- Gene T. Sykes
- The City of New York
- Through the offices of Mayor Bill de Blasio
- Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer
- City Council Speaker Corey Johnson
- City Council Member Margaret S. Chin
- NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Tom Finkelpearl, Commissioner
- NYC Economic Development Corporation, James Patchett, President
- The Trust for Governors Island
- Tishman Speyer
- Robin and Liselotte Vince
- Jack and Susy Wadsworth
Thank you to the following project partners, whose generous gifts in-kind helped bring this space to life:
- Adamson Associates Architects
- BuroHappold Engineering
- Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
- Davis Brody Bond
- Gardiner & Theobald
- Gensler
- JAS Consulting
- Lightswitch
- Pei Cobb Freed and Partners
- Reidy Contracting Group, LLC
- Sciame Construction
- Two Twelve
- WB Wood
Inaugural Season Supporters
This inaugural season of programming at the Arts Center at Governors Island is made possible, in part, by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.
Yto Barrada with guest artist Bettina: The Power of Two Suns is supported in part by Art Matters and Pace Gallery. Additional funding is provided by Étant Donnés Contemporary Art, a program developed by the FACE Foundation and the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States, with lead funding from the French Ministry of Culture and Institut français-Paris, the Florence Gould Foundation, The Ford Foundation, the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, Chanel USA, the ADAGP, and the CPGA.
LMCC’s Arts Center Residency program is supported, in part, by Cowles Charitable Trust, The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation, Jacques and Natasha Gelman Trust, the Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, and by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Arts Center Residency is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
LMCC additionally acknowledges our partnership with the Trust for Governors Island.
Interested in hosting a private event at LMCC's Arts Center at Governors Island? Complete the form here.
For any additional questions about rentals, contact Alice Bennahmias, Partnerships Liaison at alice@lmcc.net.
Join LMCC's mailing list here for updates on programs and events at LMCC's Arts Center at Governors Island, as well as other experiences for audiences and opportunities for artists.
For general questions about LMCC’s Arts Center at Governors Island, please contact us at info@lmcc.net or 212-219-9401.
For press inquiries, please contact Chris Schimpf at Sacks & Company at chris.schimpf@sacksco.com.