The Shed (arts center)
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| The Shed (arts center) | |
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| Name | The Shed |
| Caption | The Shed at Hudson Yards, Manhattan |
| Established | 2019 |
| Location | Hudson Yards, Manhattan, New York City |
| Coordinates | 40.7538, -74.0021, type:landmark_region:US-NY |
| Architect | Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Rockwell Group |
| Type | Arts center |
| Genre | Multidisciplinary |
| Director | Alex Poots |
| Website | theshed.org |
The Shed (arts center) is a major cultural institution and performing arts center located within the Hudson Yards development on the West Side of Manhattan in New York City. Opened in April 2019, it is a non-profit organization dedicated to commissioning, developing, and presenting original works of performance, visual art, and popular culture across all disciplines. The institution is distinguished by its innovative, movable shell structure and its mission to support artists in realizing ambitious new projects.
History and development
The concept for The Shed emerged from early planning for the Hudson Yards Redevelopment Project, a large-scale real estate development overseen by Related Companies and Oxford Properties Group. The project was spearheaded by Daniel L. Doctoroff, former Deputy Mayor of New York City, who envisioned a flexible cultural anchor for the new neighborhood. The board of trustees, led by Chairman Jonathan M. Tisch, hired Alex Poots, formerly of the Manchester International Festival and the Park Avenue Armory, as the founding artistic director and CEO in 2015. The building's design, by architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with Rockwell Group, was selected through an international competition. Construction began in 2015, with the institution officially opening to the public with a performance by composer Steve Reich and artist Gerhard Richter.
Architecture and facilities
The Shed's most prominent architectural feature is its telescoping outer shell, known as the "Bloomberg Building," which is mounted on wheels and can be deployed over an adjacent plaza to double the institution's footprint. This innovative structure, engineered by Thornton Tomasetti, allows the facility to adapt to a wide variety of event scales and configurations. The core building houses two primary, column-free galleries, the versatile McCourt performance hall (created when the shell is extended), and the Griffin Theater. Other key spaces include the Tisch Skylights, the Lab for research and development, and dedicated rehearsal studios. The building's facade is made of translucent ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) panels, and its base is clad in polished stainless steel.
Artistic program and productions
The Shed's artistic program is centered on commissioning new works, often through long-term collaborations with artists. Its inaugural season featured "Soundtrack of America," a concert series curated by Steve McQueen and Daphne Brooks, and a major retrospective of the work of Trisha Brown. Notable productions have included "Dragon Spring Phoenix Rise" by the Wu-Tang Clan's RZA and Chen Shi-Zheng, "Mothers" by Claudia Rankine, and immersive installations by artists like Agnes Denes and Hito Steyerl. The institution has also presented large-scale performances such as "The Life and Times of ..." by Nature Theater of Oklahoma and hosted residencies for composers like John Luther Adams and ensembles like the Orchestra of St. Luke's.
Leadership and funding
The Shed operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization under the leadership of Artistic Director and CEO Alex Poots. Its board of trustees is chaired by Jonathan M. Tisch, with notable members including Roberts and Anna Wintour. A significant portion of its initial capital costs, exceeding $475 million, was funded through a mix of private philanthropy and contributions from Hudson Yards developers. Major donors include former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose foundation contributed $75 million, and Kathryn Chenault, Stephen Ross, and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. Ongoing operations are supported by ticket sales, member contributions, and grants from entities like the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Reception and impact
Upon its opening, The Shed received significant attention from publications like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Architectural Digest, with critics praising its architectural ambition and flexible design. While some reviews questioned the scale of its public subsidy within a private development, the institution has been widely acknowledged for its commitment to ambitious artist-driven projects. It has quickly become a notable venue within the New York City cultural landscape, alongside institutions like the Lincoln Center, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Museum of Modern Art. Its focus on commissioning and its adaptable spaces have influenced discussions about the future of multidisciplinary arts centers globally.
Category:Arts centres in New York City Category:Buildings and structures in Manhattan Category:Performing arts centers in the United States Category:2019 establishments in New York (state)