Monuments Conservation Program

In 1997, the Citywide Monuments Conservation Program was launched with two initial goals: to augment through private investment the City's care of its public art collection and to train the next generation of conservators.

The Citywide Monuments Conservation Program performs conservation and maintenance of the extensive and irreplaceable public art collection in New York City's parks. The program is supported by individual, corporate, and foundation grants; the City Parks Foundation is its fiscal sponsor.

Since its inception, the program has conserved more than 80 major sculptures and monuments and provided full-scale, high-quality annual care for more than 500 additional monuments. The summer work crews include seasonal conservation trainees selected from college and graduate programs in historic preservation, objects conservation, art history, and fine arts. The apprentices work under the direction of the Monuments Program's year-round professional conservation staff.

Seeking to avoid cycles of renovation and decline, the Citywide Monuments Conservation Program performs regular follow-up maintenance of previously conserved statuary, ensuring consistently high aesthetic conditions.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Contributions to the Citywide Monuments Conservation Program may support general operations, special projects and monuments endowments.

Donations are payable to the City Parks Foundation and should be sent to the Citywide Monuments Conservation Program, The Arsenal, Room 20, Central Park, New York, NY 10065. If you would like to learn more, please call the Monuments Coordinator at (212) 360-8163 or email artandantiquities@parks.nyc.gov.