Austrian Cultural Forum New York facts for kids
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| Established | 1942 |
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| Location | 11 East 52nd Street, Manhattan, New York, United States |
The Austrian Cultural Forum New York (ACFNY) is a special place in New York City. It helps people in the United States learn about Austrian culture. It's one of two offices Austria has in the U.S. to share its art, music, and ideas. The other one is in Washington, D.C.. The ACFNY is part of a big network of Austrian cultural centers all around the world. These centers are overseen by Austria's government.
What is the History of the ACFNY?
The ACFNY started in 1942 in New York City. It was first called the Austrian Institute. It was created by Austrian people who had moved to the United States. Their goal was to keep Austrian culture alive and share it with others. A key person back then was Irene Harand. She was an Austrian who had left her home country. She helped lead the institute.
In 1963, the institute moved to its current spot. This is at 11 East 52nd Street in Manhattan. It became the official cultural office for the Austrian government. In 2002, the institution got a new name, the Austrian Cultural Forum. It also moved into a brand new building at the same location.
The ACFNY is part of the Austrian consulate in New York. This means it's connected to Austria's official government offices. Susanne Keppler-Schlesinger has been the Director of the ACFNY since September 2022. She is an experienced Austrian diplomat.
What is Special About the ACFNY Building?
In 1992, a contest was held to pick a design for the ACFNY's new building. Raimund Abraham was the winning architect. His design was chosen from 226 ideas. The building was finished in 2002. It stands on a very narrow piece of land in Manhattan. It is only about 24.5 feet (7.5 meters) wide. But it is 24 stories tall, reaching about 275 feet (84 meters) high!
This building is seen as very unusual in architecture. Even though it's on a small plot, it's very tall. The outside of the building is covered in glass and aluminum. It gets narrower as it goes up. This design helps it follow city rules. The building has many different spaces inside. There are areas for art shows and a theater. It also has a library with books and music. There are offices, meeting rooms, and even apartments for staff. The library is named after Frederic Morton. It has over 10,000 books about Austrian art and culture.
What Kinds of Activities Happen at the ACFNY?
Since it opened, the ACFNY has been a place for cultural exchange. This means it helps Austrians and Americans share ideas and art. It works with people all over the United States, except for Washington D.C. Washington D.C. has its own cultural center. The ACFNY helps Austrian artists show their work in different places across the country.
Inside the ACFNY building, five floors are used for art exhibitions. These shows mostly feature modern art. Some exhibits even use the building's unique design as part of the art. Concerts and performances happen in the building's own auditorium. They also take place at other venues in New York. Besides films, the ACFNY also offers talks, readings, and book events.
