Lincoln Center facts for kids

Lincoln Center

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is a huge group of buildings in New York City. It's found in the Manhattan area called Lincoln Square. This place is famous for all sorts of amazing shows and performances! It covers about 16.3 acres (6.6 hectares) of land. Henry Timms is currently the president of Lincoln Center.

History of Lincoln Center

Lincoln Center was built by a group of important community leaders. John D. Rockefeller III was one of the main people leading this effort. The project was part of a bigger plan called the "Lincoln Square Renewal Project." This plan happened in the 1950s and 1960s. It was part of a city improvement program led by Robert Moses.

Many famous architects were hired to design the main buildings. Over the next 30 years, the area around Lincoln Center became a new center for cultural events.

Building the Center

John D. Rockefeller III was the first president of Lincoln Center in 1956. He later became its chairman in 1961. He helped raise more than half of the money needed to build the complex. This was a huge amount, over $184 million!

The first three main buildings opened a few years apart:

• Avery Fisher Hall (now called David Geffen Hall) opened in 1962.
• David H. Koch Theater (formerly the New York State Theater) opened in 1964.
• Metropolitan Opera House opened in 1966.

Why the Name "Lincoln"?

The center might have been named "Lincoln" because it is in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. However, it's not clear if the neighborhood was named after U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. The name was given to the area in 1906 by the New York City Board of Aldermen. The old records don't say why they chose that name.

Images for kids

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  David Geffen Hall, home of the New York Philharmonic in Lincoln Center

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  The David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, home of the New York City Ballet

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  David Geffen Hall (2005)

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  Auditorium of the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

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  Interior of the David Geffen Hall before a concert by the New York Philharmonic

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  Interior of the David H. Koch Theater

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  Interior of the Rose Theater

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  Adrienne Arsht Stage, inside Alice Tully Hall.

See also

In Spanish: Lincoln Center para niños