If you’re a fan of the grandeur of Grand Central Terminal and prefer not having a subway line rumbling through the peace of Central Park, you have the Municipal Art Society of New York to thank. This organization, established over 130 years ago, not only aims to preserve the City’s beauty—it also spends time showing it off.
What do they do?
MAS’s mission is to create a city that is both functional and beautiful for residents and visitors, with the nonprofit’s advocacy responsible for some of the City’s most enduring works and policies. In the hopes of beautifying New York City “from sidewalk to skyline,” MAS helped press for the creation of the NYC Planning Commission, campaigning for the preservation of historic districts in neighborhoods such as Brooklyn Heights and the South Street Seaport. In 1920, MAS was even responsible for
How can you take part?
To put their advocacy into the kind of action that anyone can relate to, the Municipal Art Society established their first official walking tour in 1956. Today, visitors can learn more about the society’s efforts and conservancy through the institution’s monthly
As well, MAS hosts
Ticket pricing, along with details on the talks and tours, is available on each respective event page on
More cultural events are taking place this May at institutions across the City as part of It's Time for Culture. Check them out