National Academy of Design facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
National Academy of Design

The academy's previous building at 1083 Fifth Avenue
Formation	1863; 162 years ago (1863)
Type	Honorary organization, museum, and school
Purpose	To promote the fine arts in America through instruction and exhibition
Headquarters	Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
Location	14-15 Gramercy Park South
President	Wendy Evans Joseph

The National Academy of Design is a special group for American artists and architects. It was started in New York City in 1825. Famous artists like Samuel Morse, Asher Durand, and Thomas Cole helped create it. Their main goal was to "promote the fine arts in America through instruction and exhibition." This means they wanted to support art through teaching and showing artworks.

Only 450 American artists and architects can be members of the Academy. They are chosen by other members because of their excellent work.

History of the Academy

The National Academy of Design building in New York City, built around 1863–1865. It looked like the Doge's Palace in Venice and was torn down in 1901.

The artists who started the National Academy of Design were first students at another place called the American Academy of the Fine Arts. But by 1825, these students felt that the American Academy wasn't doing enough to teach art. Its leaders were mostly business people and lawyers, not artists. The president, John Trumbull, was also not very supportive.

Samuel Morse and other students decided to form their own drawing group. They met several times a week to study art. They tried to work with the American Academy, but it didn't go well. When some of their chosen artists were not elected to lead the old academy, they decided to start something new. That's how the National Academy of Design began.

Morse had studied at the Royal Academy in London. He wanted the new National Academy of Design to be like it. From the very beginning, the Academy's goal was to "promote the fine arts in America through exhibition and education."

Changes Over Time

In 2015, the Academy faced money problems. To help, they temporarily closed their museum and art school. They also sold some of their buildings in New York to create a special fund. Today, the Academy works to show how important art is for education. It also celebrates artists and architects and helps people have important talks about culture.

The Academy says its 450 members, called "National Academicians," are professional artists and architects. They are chosen by other members each year for their amazing work.

Official Names of the Academy

The Academy has had a few different names over the years.

• 1825: The New York Drawing Association
• 1826: The National Academy of The Arts of Design
• 1828: The National Academy of Design (This name lasted for a very long time!)
• 1997: The National Academy Museum and School of Fine Art (This name was used to show it included the artists' group, museum, and school, and to avoid confusion with the word "design.")
• 2017: The National Academy of Design (They changed it back to the original name.)

Where the Academy Has Been Located

The Academy has moved to several places in Manhattan over the years.

• One famous building was on Park Avenue and 23rd Street. It was built from 1863 to 1865 and looked like the Doge's Palace in Venice.
• Another location was at West 109th Street and Amsterdam Avenue.
• From 1906 to 1941, the Academy was in the American Fine Arts Society building.
• From 1942 to 2019, it was in a large house at 1083 Fifth Avenue. This house was given to them by sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington and her husband, Archer M. Huntington.
• From 2019 to 2023, the Academy shared offices and galleries with the National Arts Club in the historic Samuel J. Tilden House.
• Currently, the National Academy of Design is located at 519 West 26th Street, on the 2nd Floor. This space has offices, meeting rooms, and areas for events and art shows.

How the Academy Works

The National Academy School of Fine Arts

The Academy is a professional group that honors artists and architects. It also has a school and a museum.

You cannot simply apply to become a member. Since 1994, only 450 American artists and architects can be members. They are chosen by other members because their work is considered excellent. Full members of the National Academy use "NA" after their names (like "John Doe, NA"). Associate members use "ANA".

The Academy has a growing collection of art. Each new member gives one of their own artworks to the Academy. This helps build a special collection that shows the history of American art and architecture. Today, the collection has over 8,000 artworks. The Academy organizes big art shows and lends its artworks to other museums around the world. It also provides resources for studying art and architecture.

Famous Teachers at the Academy

Many talented artists have taught at the Academy.

• Will Hicok Low taught there from 1889 to 1892.
• Charles Louis Hinton taught for a long time, starting in 1901.
• The famous American poet William Cullen Bryant also gave talks.
• Architect Alexander Jackson Davis taught at the Academy.
• Painter Lemuel Wilmarth was the first teacher to work full-time.
• Silas Dustin was a curator, helping to manage the art collection.

Notable Members of the Academy

Some members in 1850 (left to right): Henry Kirke Brown, Henry Peters Gray, and founding member Asher Brown Durand.

Annual Reception at the National Academy of Design, New York, 1868. This is a wood engraving from a drawing by W. S. L. Jewett.

Norman Rockwell

Many well-known artists and architects have been members of the National Academy of Design. Here are some of them:

See also

In Spanish: Academia Nacional de Dibujo de Estados Unidos para niños

• American Watercolor Society (This group is located within the National Academy of Design.)
• List of museums and cultural institutions in New York City