Museum of the Moving Image

The Museum of the Moving Image exists to expand public understanding and appreciation of the art, history, technique and technology of film, television, and digital media by collecting, preserving, and providing access to moving-image related artifacts via multimedia exhibitions and educational programming.[4] The exhibits include significant audio/visual components designed to promote an understanding of the history of the industry and an understanding of how it has evolved.[5] Panel discussions about current movies are frequently held at the museum. The museum hosts regular monthly series in its two premium theaters. These ongoing series include “Changing the Picture,” “Fist & Sword,” “New Adventures in Nonfiction,” “Science on Screen,” and “Disreputable Cinema.” Each of these explore and celebrate many aspects of the art and culture of cinema. It is also home to one of the most significant collections of video games and gaming hardware.[6] The museum's attendance has grown from 60,000 in 2000 to an expected figure of 120,000 in 2011.[7] In 2017, the museum opened “the Jim Henson Exhibition,” a permanent exhibit honoring the life and ingenuity of Jim Henson and his creations. Further, an exhibit entitled, "Envisioning 2001: Stanley Kubrick's Space Odyssey", opened in January 2020.[8]

The museum's history as the Astoria Motion Picture and Television Center Foundation traces its history to 1970, when the Foundation took control of the former Astoria Studios in an effort to preserve the now-landmarked building which was home to a number of significant productions.[9] The foundation's work was a success, revitalized the site and consumers' interest in the industry and plans were made to expand the consumer access to the studio in the form of a museum.[10]

Following seven years of work, and at a cost of $15 million, the American Museum of the Moving Image opened on September 10, 1988, in the former East Coast home of Paramount Pictures[11] as the first museum in the United States that was devoted solely to the art, history and technology of film, television and video. This was followed, days later, by the opening of the British museum of the same name.[11] The New York theater, ultramodern by 1988 standards, was equipped to present 70mm, 35mm, and 16mm film formats and was one of only two sites in New York with the ability to present old nitrate prints.[1] It also re-created moments from television and video history and allowed visitors the opportunity to watch television in a TV lounge from the early days of television.[12]

In 2005, the museum was among 406 New York City arts and social service institutions to receive part of a $20 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation, which was made possible through a donation by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg.[13][14]

In March 2008, the museum broke ground for a $65 million expansion that doubled the museum's size and added a new theater and educational space. While the museum remained open during most of the construction period, with its old theater demolished and the new ones yet to be built, screenings series and other events were held off site, although the collection was still available to scholars.[15] The museum opened its redesigned and expanded building, designed by Leeser Architecture, on January 15, 2011.[16]

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