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 by famous people like Samuel Morse, Asher Durand, and Thomas Cole. Their main goal was to help art grow in America by teaching and showing artworks. Only 450 American artists and architects can be members. They are chosen by other members because they are excellent at what they do.

History of the Academy

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

The people who first started the National Academy of Design were students at another school called the American Academy of the Fine Arts. But by 1825, these students felt that their old academy wasn't doing enough to support art education. The leaders of that academy were mostly business people and lawyers, not artists. The president, John Trumbull, didn't seem to care much about teaching art.

So, Samuel Morse and other students decided to create their own drawing group. They met several times a week to study art and design. However, they still felt ignored by the American Academy. They tried to work things out by asking for six artists from their group to join the American Academy's board. But when four of them were not chosen, the artists decided to form a completely new academy. That's how the National Academy of Design began.

Samuel Morse had studied at the Royal Academy in London. He wanted the new National Academy of Design to be similar to it. From the very beginning, the academy's goal was to "promote the fine arts in America through exhibition and education." This meant showing art and teaching people about it.

Around 2015, the academy faced money problems. Over the next few years, it closed its museum and art school. It sold some of its buildings in New York to create a special fund. Today, the academy works to show how important art is for education. It celebrates artists and architects and helps start important conversations about culture. The academy says its 450 National Academicians are "professional artists and architects who are elected to membership by their peers annually."

Official Names Over Time

After a few years and some temporary names, the academy found its lasting name in 1828: "National Academy of Design." It kept this name for about 150 years. In 1997, a new director changed the name to "National Academy Museum and School of Fine Art." This was done to show that it included the artists' group, the museum, and the school. It also helped avoid confusion with the word "design" which had a different meaning by then.

However, this name change was reversed in 2017.

• 1825 The New York Drawing Association
• 1826 The National Academy of The Arts of Design
• 1828 The National Academy of Design
• 1997 The National Academy Museum and School of Fine Art
• 2017 The National Academy of Design

Academy Locations in New York City

The academy has been in many different 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. This building was later torn down in 1901. 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, the academy was in a large house at 1083 Fifth Avenue. This house was given to them in 1940 by sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington and philanthropist Archer M. Huntington. From 2019 to 2023, the National Academy of Design shared offices and galleries with the National Arts Club. This was inside 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, event areas, and exhibition space.

How the Academy Works

The National Academy School of Fine Arts

The academy is a special group of professionals. It also used to have a school and a museum. You cannot simply apply to become a member. Since 1994, there can only be 450 American artists and architects as members. They are chosen by other members because they are known for their excellent work. Full members of the National Academy use "NA" after their names. Associate members use "ANA."

Famous Teachers at the Academy

Many well-known artists have taught at the academy. These include Will Hicok Low, who taught 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 there. Architect Alexander Jackson Davis taught at the academy. Painter Lemuel Wilmarth was the first full-time teacher. Silas Dustin worked as a curator.

Notable Members of the Academy

A few members in 1850 (from 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 sketch by W. S. L. Jewett.

See also

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

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