Brief History of MoMA PS1
Founded by Alanna Heiss in 1971, MoMA PS1 contemporary art center was initially intended to be the Institute of Art and Urban Resources Inc. The organization’s mission was to repurpose abandoned and underutilized buildings in the city as exhibition spaces and vibrant studios. Recognizing that New York City attracts artists from around the United States and the world but that traditional museums often need to provide opportunities for site-specific art, MoMA PS1 sought to fill this gap by establishing itself as an alternative arts organization.
To this end, the organization began renovating abandoned buildings in the city, eventually opening the Contemporary Art Center in a Romanesque Revival public school building in 1976. Over time, MoMA PS1 contemporary art center has continued to expand its studio capacity and exhibition space. Today, the museum is housed in a building that dates to 1892, initially serving as the first school in Long Island City until it was closed in 1963 due to low attendance. After being shuttered, the building was used as a warehouse before being repurposed as a contemporary art museum.
