Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

From groundbreaking in 1959 to the inauguration of Alice Tully Hall and The Juilliard School in 1969, the "Construction of Lincoln Center" traces the beginnings of what would become the world’s first, and now leading, performing arts center. This is the story of how Lincoln Center grew into the cultural heart of New York City and one of the most iconic cultural destinations in the world. The exhibition includes rare photographs of the 16.3-acre campus and archival footage from many of the halls’ opening nights. Images include President Eisenhower breaking ground on the site in 1959, Marc Chagall at the unveiling of his two murals, which hang in the Metropolitan Opera House lobby, and dancers from the New York City Ballet testing the specially designed stage at the New York State Theater (now the David H. Koch Theater). The images offer a glimpse into the extraordinary convergence of the artistic, political, and business worlds that gave rise to Lincoln Center. In 2012, Lincoln Center completed a $1.2 billion campus renovation, ushering in a new era for the campus and the organizations that call it home. Yet, as can be seen in this exhibit, much of the campus’s original beauty—such as its iconic architecture, artistic masterpieces, and beloved fountain—continues to shine.