Über uns
Socrates’ existence is based on the belief that reclamation, revitalization und creative expression are essential to the survival, humanity, and improvement of our urban environment.
Our Mission
Socrates Sculpture Park is a community engaged New York City waterfront park dedicated to supporting artists in the production and presentation of public art.
Our Values
Freedom of Creative Expression
Open & Inclusive Public Access
Artistic Experimentation & Exploration
Community Collaboration & Civic Engagement
Stewardship of the Land & Respect for Place
Cultivation of Mutual Respect & Joy
Organization
Background
Once an abandoned landfill and illegal dumpsite on the Queens waterfront, Socrates Sculpture Park was founded in 1986 by a coalition of artists and community members working in collaboration with sculptor Mark di Suvero, among the most renowned artists of his generation. Through a radical act of land reclamation, shaped by collective action and shared purpose, they transformed six acres on the East River into a new model for engagement with the arts—a place at once a public park, outdoor studio, exhibition venue, and site for community gathering.
Socrates is the only organization in New York City that collaborates with artists onsite to create public art while simultaneously managing a city-owned park. Known for fostering ambitious and visionary artworks, Socrates has presented more than 1,200 artists, providing them the financial support, mentorship, materials, equipment, and space necessary to create large-scale works in the public realm.
Annually, the Park organizes a dynamic season of free public programs in collaboration with over 20 cultural partners. These programs — which include performances, environmental celebrations, cultural festivals, art education initiatives, and Healthy Living series featuring yoga, meditation, and kayaking — are designed to reflect the cultural diversity of Queens as well as the themes of the Park’s exhibitions and its ecological focus.
Socrates fundraises 100% of its operating budget— supporting all aspects of running the Park, from maintaining the grounds to programming creative offerings and caring for a place that many call home. With only 3-5% of our budget funded by public grants, Socrates depends on private fundraising, notably from foundations and corporations, as well as individuals who believe in what we do.
The Park is open 365 days a year from 9am to sunset and admission to our exhibitions, programs, and gardens is always free. All are welcome!
Land
Acknowledgement
Socrates Sculpture Park is on the ancestral land of the Lenape, Carnarsie, and Matinecock Peoples.
Artist Jeffrey Gibson (Choctaw-Cherokee) invited the Indigenous Kinship Collective to deliver a Land Acknowledgment at the Park as part of the project ‘Because Once You Enter My House It Becomes Our House.’
Equity
Socrates is committed to being a place where all can gather regardless of background. We intentionally curate our exhibitions and programs to reflect our broader community, while making our space open and accessible to those who visit. At Socrates, we believe that art can serve as a tool for people to commune and connect with one another in public, to reflect on their shared experiences and intersectional histories, and, through collective action, build ecological resilience for future generations.
Staff Members
Shaun Leonardo
Jonathan Gardenhire
Maria Jose (Majo) Restrepo
Andrew Rebatta
Richard Morales
E. Louie Jordan
Logan Mattocks
Terrence McCutchen
James Stewart
Duke Yun
Board Members
Program Partners
Support
Das gesamte Programm des Socrates Sculpture Park ist kostenlos und wird unter anderem durch die Unterstützung der AG Foundation, der Lily Auchincloss Foundation, von Bloomberg Philanthropies, des Charina Endowment Fund, der City Parks Foundation, von Con Edison, des The Cowles Charitable Trust, der Sidney E. Frank Foundation, der Stuart and Maxine Frankel Foundation, der Ford Foundation, des J. Paul Getty Trust, der The Goldstone Family Foundation, der William Talbott Hillman Foundation, der Hyde & Watson Foundation, der Kite Key Foundation, der Lambent Foundation, der Leon Levy Foundation, der Henry Luce Foundation, der Mathis-Pfohl Foundation, der Mellon Foundation, der Mertz Gilmore Foundation, des Molly Blank Fund, Silman, A TYLin Company, des Margaret Silva Fund, der TD Charitable Foundation sowie des Vorstandes des Socrates Sculpture Park und unserer vielen großzügigen Einzelspender ermöglicht.
Die Programme von Socrates werden unter anderem auch durch öffentliche Mittel von Donovan Richards, dem Präsidenten des Queens Borough; dem NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, in Partnerschaft mit dem New York City Council, dem New York State Council on the Arts; dem NYC Department of Parks & Recreation; sowie dem National Endowment for the Arts unterstützt.
Sachleistungen werden großzügig von Spacetime C.C. bereitgestellt.
Der Socrates Sculpture Park bedankt sich für die großzügige Unterstützung durch das Collaborative Arts Network New York (CANNY). Als Koalition kleiner bis mittelgroßer multidisziplinärer Kunstorganisationen setzt sich CANNY für die Stärkung der Infrastruktur gemeinnütziger Kunstorganisationen in ganz New York ein. Weitere Informationen zu CANNY finden Sie unter https://can-ny.org/.