Museum of the Moving Image (New York City)

Museum of the Moving Image (New York City) is a cultural institution in Astoria, Queens dedicated to the art, history, and technology of film, television, and digital media. Founded in 1988, it is housed in a building that was originally part of the historic Kaufman Astoria Studios complex. The museum is renowned for its extensive collection of artifacts, interactive exhibitions, and its role as a vibrant center for film screenings and educational programs.

History

The museum's origins are deeply tied to the historic Kaufman Astoria Studios, a major film studio in New York City that was revitalized in the 1970s. The institution began as the Astoria Motion Picture and Television Center Foundation, established to preserve the legacy of the studios where figures like W.C. Fields and the Marx Brothers worked. It officially opened as the **American Museum of the Moving Image** in 1988, following a major renovation by architect Gwathmey Siegel & Associates. A significant expansion, designed by Thomas Leeser, was completed in 2011, doubling the museum's size and adding new theaters and galleries. This growth solidified its status as a leading institution in the study and celebration of moving image arts.

Exhibitions and collections

The museum's permanent exhibition, **"Behind the Screen,"** features over 1,400 artifacts from its collection of more than 130,000 items. This includes historic film cameras, television sets, costume designs, and memorabilia from productions like Star Wars and The Muppets. Notable holdings include the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers suits and an extensive archive of video game consoles. The institution also presents rotating exhibitions on topics such as the work of Jim Henson, the history of Saturday Night Live, and the cinema of Hong Kong. Its collection is a vital resource for scholars and enthusiasts, documenting the evolution of media technology from the 19th century to the present.

Building and facilities

Located at 36-01 35th Avenue in Astoria, Queens, the museum's building is an integral part of the Kaufman Astoria Studios campus. The 2011 expansion by Thomas Leeser added a dramatic new facade and significantly enhanced its public spaces. Key facilities include the 267-seat **Redstone Theater**, equipped for 70mm film presentations, and the 68-seat **Sumner M. Redstone Theater**. The building also houses a black box theater for experimental works, multiple galleries, a museum store, and the **Café at the Museum of the Moving Image**. The design emphasizes transparency and interaction, with spaces that allow visitors to engage directly with media-making tools.

Education and public programs

The museum offers a wide array of educational initiatives, serving over 50,000 students and teachers annually through school visits and curriculum-based workshops. Its **Moving Image Studio** provides hands-on training in animation, filmmaking, and game design. Public programs are a cornerstone, featuring the popular **First Look** festival for new cinema and regular **Q&A** sessions with filmmakers like Martin Scorsese and Ava DuVernay. The institution also hosts the annual **IndieCade** festival for independent games and presents retrospective series on influential directors such as Akira Kurosawa and Kathryn Bigelow.

Governance and funding

The museum is governed by a **Board of Trustees** that includes leaders from the media, arts, and business sectors, such as **Michael Barker** of Sony Pictures Classics. It operates as a non-profit organization under section **501(c)(3)** of the Internal Revenue Code. Major funding comes from a mix of private donations, foundation grants from entities like the **Rockefeller Foundation** and the **National Endowment for the Arts**, and significant support from **New York City** agencies including the **New York City Department of Cultural Affairs**. Corporate partnerships with **Technicolor** and **Dolby Laboratories** also provide crucial support for its exhibitions and technological initiatives.

Category:Museums in New York City Category:Film museums in the United States Category:Museums in Queens Category:1988 establishments in New York (state)