Creative Time

Anne Pasternak. During Pasternak's tenure, since the Fall of 1994, the organization has increased its commitment to artists working with untried media and has offered established artists fresh opportunities to experiment and engage new audiences. Renowned projects under her artistic direction range from exhibitions and performances in the historic Brooklyn Bridge Anchorage, new sculptures in Grand Central Station, paintings in Coney Island… See full bio.

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Story: What is the story behind Creative Time? Creative Time was founded in 1974. Its history of commissioning, producing, and presenting adventurous public artworks of all disciplines began in the midst of a significant period. Artists were experimenting with new forms and media. Their work moved out of galleries and museums and into the public realm. At the same time, New York's citizens responded to the City's deterioration, which was prompted by the fiscal crisis, with the City Beautification movement. Also recognizing the significance of art in society, the federal government established the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to herald the role of artists and introduce uninitiated audiences to contemporary art. Creative Time derives its values from this historic impetus to foster artistic experimentation, enrich public space and the everyday experience, and forefront artists as key contributors to democratic society. Creative Time's earliest programs invigorated vacant storefronts as well as neglected landmarks like the U.S. Customs House in Lower Manhattan. After gaining early renown for Art on the Beach (1978 – 1985), which fostered collaborations between visual artists, architects, and performing artists at the Battery Park City Landfill, Creative Time soon spread its programs throughout New York City. Presenting projects on billboards, landmark buildings, buses, deli cups, ATM machines, and the Internet, among numerous other venues, Creative Time broadened the definitions of both art and public space throughout the 1980s and 90s. In particular, Creative Time encouraged artists to address timely issues such as the AIDS pandemic, domestic violence, and racial inequality. More recently, Art in the Anchorage (1983 – 2001) drew thousands to the majestic chambers of the Brooklyn Bridge Anchorage, which housed annual exhibitions of emerging creative practices in art, music, theater, and fashion until its closure in 2001 due to national security. While Creative Time delights New Yorkers with skywriting over Manhattan and colorful sculptures in Grand Central Station, it also inspires with projects like Tribute in Light, the twin beacons that rose from Lower Manhattan. Creative Time remains committed to promoting collaboration within the creative community, frequently partnering with institutions like the Dia Art Foundation, The Kitchen, Lincoln Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MTA Arts for Transit, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. (Learn more about Creative Time at: http://www.creativetime.org/about/history.html)

Evidence of Impact Summary:

Creative Time receives high praise for bringing contemporary art to the public sphere. It is heralded for its unique role within the larger arts community.
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Organization Strengths Summary:

Creative Time almost uniformly receives praise over its leadership and staff quality. One expert also called out the strength of its marketing and outreach.
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Areas for Improvement Summary:

The main area for improvement cited dealt with expanding beyond New York. Another expert also noted room to improve paying attention to other emerging art forms.
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During Pasternak's tenure, since the Fall of 1994, the organization has increased its commitment to artists working with untried media and has offered established artists fresh opportunities to experiment and engage new audiences. Renowned projects under her artistic direction range from exhibitions and performances in the historic Brooklyn Bridge Anchorage, new sculptures in Grand Central Station, paintings in Coney Island and skywriting over Manhattan to the Tribute in Light, the twin beacons of light that illuminated the former World Trade Center site six months after 9/11, in honor of the lives lost there. Pasternak has been committed to initiating projects that give artists the opportunity to innovate their practice, celebrate New York life, and reflect on contemporary society while engaging millions of people with art that permeates everyday urban life. In addition to her work at Creative Time, Pasternak curates independent exhibitions and contributes essays to cultural publications. She lectures extensively throughout the United States and Europe.

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