40 Years of 
Socrates Sculpture Park

A Place to Begin Again

For forty years, Socrates Sculpture Park has been a place where art, land, and community come together. What began as a radical act of reclamation on the Queens waterfront has become a living site of experimentation, care, and public imagination.

As we enter our 40th year, we’re reflecting on the ideas and commitments that shaped Socrates—and investing in what comes next. Explore the five pillars of this anniversary and the shorts that bring each chapter to life.

2026 Artist Fellow Jeremy John Kaplan – project rendering for Rest in Tension, 2026

For four decades, Socrates Sculpture Park has remained free and open to the public because of the generosity of artists, neighbors, and supporters who believe in the power of public space.

As we look ahead, your support helps ensure that Socrates continues to act as a steward of this reclaimed waterfront, a catalyst for artistic experimentation, and a neighbor committed to serving communities across New York City.

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Our model is rare.
Our values are enduring.
Our next chapter begins with you.

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