Doris C. Freedman Plaza

This plaza is dedicated to the memory and vision of Doris Chanin Freedman (1928 - 1981). As Director of Cultural Affairs for New York City, President of City Walls, the Municipal Art Society and the Public Art Fund, she was a champion for the arts, for artists, and for the right of the public to enjoy art in their daily lives. Thanks to Doris Freedman, artists were allowed to reside legally in their SoHo studios. Through her efforts, New York City introduced percent for art legislation requiring civil construction projects to spend a portion of their budgets on art. As a pioneer in the field of public art, Doris Freedman labored tirelessly to enliven and humanize the urban environment. The people of the City of New York are the beneficiaries of her vision.