East Utica, New York - Arts, History, and Culture

Arts, History, and Culture

• The Boilermaker Road Race, the largest registered 15K road race in the United States, is run in association with the National Distance Running Hall of Fame, also located in Utica.
• Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute — Founded in 1919 as "an artistic, musical and social center", The Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute Museum of Art features a renowned permanent collection, rotating exhibitions and community art education for adults, teens and children. The Institute is named for three generations of one Utica family, whose philanthropy and civic pride is still enjoyed today. The campus, located on 10 acres (40,000 m2) in downtown Utica, features a variety of restored historic homes surrounding an International-style gallery building (circa 1960) designed by world famous architect Philip Johnson (who considered it to be his finest work), and Fountain Elms a superb Victorian-era Italianate mansion, once the home of the Williams family. These landmark buildings were connected by the construction of the Education Wing in 1995 and both are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2000, PrattMWP was opened to offer a nationally accredited college program in association with Pratt Institute of Brooklyn and Manhattan.
• Utica Memorial Auditorium — The Utica Memorial Auditorium, or AUD is a 4,000 seat multi-purpose arena (circa 1959) that was fully renovated in the 1990s. Beginning in 2013-14, the arena will host the American Hockey League's Utica Comets.
• The Utica Zoo — The Utica Zoo has served the region for over 88 years. Located in Roscoe-Conkling Park, the zoo is part of the Parkway Recreational Complex made possible by the donation of land from Thomas R. Proctor in 1909. The zoo has grown from its small beginnings with three fallow deer to its present collection of over 200 animals. Of the 80 acres (320,000 m2) of land set aside for the zoo's use, 35 are presently developed. The Zoo is home to the world's largest watering can. The 2,000 pound can is 15 feet 6 inches (4.72 m) in height and 12 feet (3.7 m) in diameter.
• The Children's Museum — A hands-on learning center with emphasis on local history, environmental science, the arts, and space science that attracts local visitors and global tourists. Among the most popular of its hundred of interactive exhibits are a life-size wooden train, an LED dance floor, live radio and weather rooms, a real airplane which children can explore, and a large HO and Lionel train exhibit visitors can operate via foot pedals.
• The Stanley Center for the Arts — The Stanley Center for the Arts is located in a fully restored 2,945 seat Mexican-baroque movie palace (circa 1928), which was designed by prolific theater architect Thomas Lamb for the Mastbaum chain of theaters. The theatre, originally named for Stanley Mastbaum, is currently a vital piece of the regional arts scene as the home of The Great Artist Series, Broadway Theater League, Utica Symphony, and touring shows. The Stanley is owned and operated by The Central New York Community Arts Council (CNYCAC). That same organization was responsible both for its rescue from the wrecking ball in 1974 as well as the professional, historically sensitive restoration to its former grandeur.
• The Utica Public Library — Started in 1825 as a private lending collection, by 1899 it was decided to build a permanent facility, and Thomas R. and Frederick T. Proctor donated the land on Genesee Street, W.P. White started the building fund, and the citizens of Utica voted to help finance the project. Utica native Arthur Jackson of the New York City firm Carrère and Hastings won the architectural competition to design the building. Important features include its red brick and Indiana limestone façade, barrel vaulted main hall, grand staircases, large pediment over the entranceway, two-story columns and the impressive front grounds. The Utica Public Library building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
• The Hotel Utica
• Players of Utica, the oldest contitinually operating community theater group in New York State.
• Sculpture Space — Sculpture Space is unique in North America as the only international, artist-in-residency program dedicated exclusively to professional sculptors. Founded in 1975 in the former Utica Steam Engine and Boiler Works building, the organization selects 20 artists each year for two-month, funded residencies which have helped to advance the careers of more than 400 national and international artists.
• Parks System — Utica's Park system began to expand during the late 19th century. A committee was formed at this time to create more parks within the city. Thomas R. Proctor a local wealthy resident of Utica purchased over 316 acres (1.28 km2) of land. Proctor then hired well renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted to develop his newly acquired land into parks. In 1905, Proctor in turn donated the land to Utica increasing the city park system to 515 acres (2.08 km2). The Utica Parks and Parkway Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.