Art in Astoria
From The Peopling of Astoria, Queens
Visual
| American Museum of the Moving Image
"The Museum of the Moving Image advances the public understanding and appreciation of the art, history, technique and technology of film, television, and digital media. It does so by collecting, preserving, and providing access to moving-image related artifacts; screening significant films and other moving-image works; presenting exhibitions of artifacts, artworks, and interactive experiences; and offering educational and interpretive programs to students, teachers, and the general public." |   |
| Socrates Sculpture Park
 | "Socrates Sculpture Park is the only site in the New York Metropolitan area specifically dedicated to providing artists with opportunities to create and exhibit large-scale work in a unique environment that encourages strong interaction between artists, artworks and the public. The Park's existence is based on the belief that reclamation, revitalization and creative expression are essential to the survival, humanity and improvement of our urban environment." |
| The Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum
"Created by Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988), The Noguchi Museum opened in 1985, presenting a comprehensive collection of the artist's works in stone, metal, wood, and clay, as well as models for public projects and gardens, dance sets, and Akari Light Sculptures. The Museum--chartered as The Noguchi Museum--is housed in thirteen galleries within a converted factory building and encircles a garden containing major granite and basalt sculptures." |  |
Kaufmann Astoria Studios
 | "Since 1980, Kaufman Astoria Studios (KAS) has established itself as one of the largest and most sophisticated film and television production centers on the east coast. As a full-service, turn-key facility, we are equipped to handle every conceivable size, style and type of production whether it be for film, video, commericals, music, sound, or studio photography. It is considered a national landmark and has been the shooting site for Sesame Street, The Manchurian Candidate, The Stepford Wives, Angels in America, and numerous independent films and smaller projects. Played host to the Pink Panther movie and the Law and Order series." |
Buzzer Thirty
- "Buzzer Thirty strives above of all else to expand contemporary ideas and practices of pedagogy, in particular as they are employed to enliven the arts. The physical space Buzzer Thirty provides to artists, writers, critics, theorists, teachers and students is an educational one—intended to promote experimentation, revision, demystification, eros , growth, enthusiasm and concern. Buzzer Thirty is a community-based center that strives to address everyone it encounters as a teacher and a student—every experience and event is one that we attempt to charge with pedagogical significance."[5]
Studio B Fine Arts Gallery
- A local gallery selling local art work as well as prints and frames.
- 32-90 36th Street
- Astoria, NY 11106
Performance
Astoria Music Society
"Founded in 2003, the Astoria Music Society is a Queens-based organization dedicated to the musical enrichment of western Queens. It presents concerts of orchestral, jazz, folk, chamber, and modern music from around the world, provides artistic performance opportunities for local musicians, encourages the creation and performance of American music, and represents Astoria, Queens, in other New York boroughs." [6]
Astoria Performing Arts Center, Inc
- "The Astoria Performing Arts Center Inc. is dedicated to providing high quality theater and entertainment at an affordable cost for the Astoria/LIC Community and to support local youth." [7]
The Opera Company of Astoria
"The goal of Opera Company of Astoria is to give highly talented emerging artists the opportunity to expand their skills in conjunction with bringing quality opera to a larger audience." [8]
The Artemis Center for the Arts
- "Born in Astoria in 1957, Zoe Artmeis founded the Artemis Center for the Arts two years ago, offering the following classes: belly dance, authentic movement, yoga, memoir writing & spontaneous prose. Her poems and articles have been published in magazines within the US and UK." [9]
Waltz! Astoria
"Waltz-Astoria is a performance space and artistic minded cafe/desert bar located in Astoria. Waltz features talented musicians, comedians, and writers. Tuesday Night Comedy showcase some of the best working comics in the Big Apple; Wednesday Open Mic nights give anyone an opportunity to perform live. Weekend shows are the highlights of Waltz' presentation as selected musicians take the center stage to perform for their fans and alike."[10]
Rapture Lounge
- "Not quite a restaurant. Not just a bar. Hip decor, slick interior, great music, and home of Independent Film Night, featuring film makers from the Astoria/LIC area."[11]
| Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden
"The Bohemian Hall is a part of New York City history. It boasts the last original remaining Beer Garden in all New York City where once there were hundreds. Bohemian Hall is run and managed by the Bohemian Citizens Benevolent Society, a Fraternal organization dedicated to preserving this precious piece of history. Jazz nights every thursday plus other events." |  |
Hell Gate Social
"Bar/lounge with weekly local performances and seasonal independent movie screenings." [13]
Architecture
Triborough Bridge
St. Demetrios' Cathedral
United Methodist Korean Church of Astoria
Hell Gate Bridge
Our Lady of Mt.Carmel
Trinity Lutheran Church
- Although it seems that Astoria has many things of artistic interest, local artists have a hard time finding studio space and gallery space. Musicians also have to travel to Manhattan to perform because open mic and performance time in local clubs is limited.
- Local artists collaborate in groups to get showings of their work and also use the easy access to the rest of NYC to get publicity.
- The best local art is usually displayed in local coffee shops and cafes rather than any official gallery spaces. The restaurants also display beautiful paintings, sculptures, and prints as decoration. Whether of ethnic or simply aesthetic interest, it is recommended to visit local businesses to see a variety of art work and craftsmanship.
- The Waltz! Astoria, Bohemian Beer Hall & Garden, Rapture Lounge, Fatty's Cafe, Hellgate Social and Buzzer Thirty
are just a few of the organizations and places local artists come out for live performances, to collaborate, or to show off their art.
- Although the neighboring Long Island City is a much more industrial area. Some of the most important artistic creations happen in the massive spaces of artist studios there. Some important museums are located in the area as well. Here is a list of a few important ones: