Artwork Can Make The Difference

It goes without saying that a facility manager wants to make his or her venue an attractive place. Along with square footage, technical hardware, security, lighting, staffing, access, and all the other factors that convey an organization’s image and capabilities, visual aesthetics provide the “finishing touch.” And, artwork is often the tool called upon to seal the deal.

Posters in the List program feature the Lincoln Center legend along the bottom. Seen here is Jennifer Bartlett’s 1996 piece, "Earth Fireworks".
Posters in the List program feature the Lincoln Center legend at the bottom. Seen here is Jennifer Bartlett’s 1996 "Earth Fireworks".

While most people are familiar with Lincoln Center in New York City as a world-class performing arts facility, few realize that it also has a visual arts side. Through its List Art Poster & Print program, Lincoln Center is a source of quality, inexpensive images that facility managers can purchase to elevate the décor in their organizations. The List Poster & Print program is a catalog of artwork by big name artists ranging from Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein to Chuck Close and Richard Serra.

The List Art Poster & Print Program was established in 1962 by Albert and Vera List, major art collectors who were instrumental in broadening the scope of Lincoln Center to include the visual arts. Their aim in creating the program was not only to make contemporary art available to the public, but also to ensure that the artwork created for Lincoln Center is of the highest quality.

"Empire" (2008) by Robert Cottingham is shown here in print version.
"Empire" (2008) by Robert Cottingham is shown here in print version.

Nearly 50 years later, the collection consists of prints commissioned by Lincoln Center from prominent artists including James Rosenquist, Joel Shapiro, Julian Schnabel, and Jennifer Bartlett, and many others. The works commemorate Lincoln Center presentations such as Great Performers and Mostly Mozart, and special events such as the opening of the Metropolitan Opera.

Figuring Art Into A Facility
Tom Lollar, Lincoln Center’s visual arts director, recently told TFM‘s FacilityBlog more about the List Program, with a focus on how its offerings can meet the needs of facility managers who are looking for distinctive artwork for their buildings.

He explained, “We have a history of selling prints to law firms, and some years ago to the AON Insurance Company at the World Trade Center. AON was interested in the high quality, colorful imagery of diverse subjects. One of the vice presidents there suggested that they decorate with our prints.”

A print version of "Down In The Valley," by Wolf Kahn (2006).
A print version of "Down In The Valley," by Wolf Kahn (2006).

“I don’t think that many facilities know about our offerings and how works of art by noted American artists can be purchased for office decoration at very low prices. We are seeking to expand our print and poster offerings to new marketplaces—in addition to our art collecting audience. The scale, affordability, and stature of the artists who have created prints and posters for Lincoln Center make them appealing. They represent the brilliance of American creativity and can communicate visually the importance of a pleasant work environment, and studies show that this enhances the employee performance.”

“Discounts are offered on quantity orders, and we also have an arrangement with the Wade Maxx Art Framers in Manhattan where custom framing is offered at a discount.”

TFM: The images available through the List Program are available with or without the Lincoln Center legend along the bottom of the image (poster versus a more costly print). In addition, do images come in a few different dimensions? Does it depend on the specific image?

Helen Frankenthaler's "Aerie" (2009) celebrates Lincoln Center's 50th Anniversary.
Helen Frankenthaler's "Aerie" (2009) celebrates Lincoln Center's 50th Anniversary.

Lollar: Yes, the posters carry the Lincoln Center legend, and the print is the original art for the posters. Both are in limited editions, and each edition varies in size, depending on the image. The prints and posters are never reprinted and have a history of handsome appreciation in value.

TFM: There are currently more than 80 images in the List Program. How often are new images added to the collection?

Lollar: We usually add four new prints and posters per year. This year—Lincoln Center’s 50th Anniversary year—we are celebrating by releasing eight new works.

(Images courtesy of Lincoln Center)


2 COMMENTS

  1. Many individuals, not only facility managers, forget the aspects of visual impact and as you stated the finishing touches. The List Art Poster & Print program, Lincoln Center offer has a great range and choices that suit many different types of facilities. When the art itself is combined with thought in the overall outlay of the facility as well as a unique lighting system the three aspects considered together can prove very visually effective.
    The Lincoln Center has a lot to offer and it is great to see the comments and that there will be 8 new designs for this 50th anniversary year.
    Regards
    Adirec

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