Doris Freedman

Doris Chanin Freedman (1928–1981) was a pioneer in the field of public art, active in New York City. She was the daughter of architect Irwin Salmon Chanin and his wife Sylvia Schofler.[1]

Doris Chanin Freedman
Born1928
Died1981 (aged 52–53)
Occupation(s)Arts activist and administrator

Freedman graduated from Albright College, Pennsylvania in 1950, where she would later help fund the creation of the school's art gallery. Founded in 1975, Freedman Gallery's primary aim is to represent living American contemporary artists.[2] Freedman also received a master's degree in social work from Columbia University.[3]

From 1971 to 1980 Freedman was the president of City Walls Inc., a not-for-profit organization, established in 1969 which worked with artists and communities to revitalize New York City through public art and had sponsored more than fifty murals.[4] In 1971, she founded the Public Arts Council; “both organizations provided technical assistance and financial support for a wide variety of projects, and developed programs to explore the potential of urban public spaces”. In 1977 she founded the Public Art Fund of the City of New York by merging City Walls and the Public Arts Council.[5]

Freedman served as New York City's first Director of Cultural Affairs during the Lindsay Administration, and as President of the Municipal Art Society.[6] Greatly through her efforts New York City introduced Percent for Art legislation in 1982, which requires civil construction projects to spend a portion of their budgets on art.[7] Freedman also hosted the radio show Artists in the City on WNYC.[8]

The southeast entrance of Central Park in Manhattan, located at the corner of the Park at 60th Street and Fifth Avenue was dedicated to Freedman by Mayor Edward I. Koch in 1981.The Doris C. Freedman Plaza in her honor. It is the site of rotating sculptural art installations presented by the Public Art Fund.[9]

In 1982 the Doris C. Freedman Award, dedicated to her memory was established by Executive Order by Mayor Koch. The Award honors “an individual or organization for a contribution to the people of the City of New York that greatly enriches the public environment”.[10]

Her daughter Susan K Freedman is currently president of the Public Art Fund.[11]

See also

References
  1. David W. Dunlap (February 26, 1988). "Irwin Chanin, Builder of Theaters And Art Deco Towers, Dies at 96 (Obituary)". The New York Times. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  2. "History and Mission". www.albright.edu. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  3. Goldberger, Paul (1981-11-27). "DORIS CHANIN FREEDMAN, 53, DIES; CULTURAL LEADER HEADED ART FUND". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  4. Yukie (2 April 2011). "From City Walls to City Malls: Public Art in SoHo". The SoHo Memory Project. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  5. "Guide to the Public Art Fund Archive 1966-2009". The Fales Library and Special Collections. Archived from the original on July 8, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  6. Public Art Fund: About Public Art Fund: Mission & History Archived May 19, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  7. "Doris C. Freedman Plaza". NYDailyNews.com. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  8. "People - Doris C. Freedman". www.wnyc.org. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  9. "Central Park, Doris C. Freedman Plaza". Central Park Conservancy. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  10. "Mayor Bloomberg presents 2010 Doris C. Freedman Award to Friends of the High Line". June 16, 2010. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  11. "Profile: Susan K. Freedman, President". Public Art Fund.


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