The Paley Center for Media‘s New York headquarters, the Paley Museum, is kicking off its 50th anniversary this week by unveiling a makeover — including two newly renovated theaters, a new exhibition and gathering area and more.
The Paley Museum, located in midtown Manhattan, was first created in 1975 by CBS founder William S. Paley as the Museum of Broadcasting, and then later as the Museum of TV & Radio. (The name was changed to the Paley Center in 2007). The museum later added a second building on the west coast in Beverly Hills (which opened in 1996 and closed in 2020).
“For five decades, Paley has stood at the intersection of media, culture, and education, serving as a trusted resource for public audiences and educators alike. Recognized as the premier gathering place for the industry – presenting programs with unmatched convening power – Paley has evolved to its place as the preeminent media industry nonprofit,,” said Frank A. Bennack, Jr., executive vice chairman and former CEO of Hearst, and chairman of the Paley Center since 1991.
The Paley Museum continues to host events like the annual PaleyFest NY, as well as the annual holiday family event Paleyland, and the Paley archive, which features unique and rare video and audio programs.
The updates to Paley Museum (which was designed by Philip Johnson) were overseen by the Paley board’s renovation committee, which included Frank A. Bennack, Jr., Mark Lazarus, William C. Paley, Maureen Reidy, David Schoer, Somyanarayan Sampath, Jennifer Witz and Strauss Zelnick, along with Tom Gallagher of DLR Group.
“The Paley Museum has proudly called New York City home for fifty years. Building on its storied legacy, it has become the destination where media, sports, gaming, and entertainment come together — offering blockbuster exhibits, interactive experiences, and once-in-a-lifetime events,” said Reidy, who serves as president and CEO of The Paley Center for Media. “With the unveiling of our newly renovated theaters and galleries, we extend our deepest gratitude to our generous donors — including the William S. Paley Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, and The Hearst Foundations — for making these new spaces possible.”
Among the changes: Two newly renovated theaters, including the 200-seat Bennack Theater and the George J. Gillespie, III Theater on the museum’s second floor. According to Paley, the theaters now include “new seating, plush carpeting, rich wood paneling, and refined finishes, complemented by state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos surround sound, advanced lighting design, and the latest in cutting-edge technology.”
The renamed George J. Gillespie, III Theater, sponsored by William S. Paley Foundation, honors a attorney, philanthropist and leader who served nearly three decades on the Paley Board and the Paley Foundation Board.
“It is an honor to support The Paley Center for Media on the occasion of this milestone anniversary,” said the William S. Paley Foundation’s William C. Paley. “I believe my father would be very proud to see how Paley has grown from his original vision to the iconic destination that it has become today.”
Also new: the Bloomberg Gallery on the concourse level, via Bloomberg Philanthropies, which features a digital display wall and will feature immersive exhibits, as well as serve as a venue for receptions and events. The Paley Museum will also be featured on the Bloomberg Connects app starting Nov. 5.
“The Paley Museum has helped document and share the incredible story of media’s evolution, from radio and television to the internet and social media and beyond,” said Bloomberg founder and former New York mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “We are glad to help the Museum mark its 50th anniversary by joining with it to open the new Bloomberg Gallery and launch Bloomberg Connects, and we look forward to seeing how the Museum continues to evolve as a hub for learning and leadership.”
And then, the entrance to the Bennack Theater has been named the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Entrance.
“As a nexus not only of media, but also of sports, politics, and entertainment, The Paley Museum offers us all the chance to better understand the cultural forces flowing through our lives,” said Stavros Niarchos Foundation co-president Andreas Dracopoulos. “We at SNF feel a strong resonance with our own work to broaden access to arts and culture, journalism and trusted information, always keeping humanity at the core.”
An upcoming second phase of the renovations will include content creation and podcast studios, as well as a new recording studio and television studio.
Starting Friday, Nov. 7 through Nov. 16, this year’s PaleyFest NY November 7-16, includes conversations with country singer Trisha Yearwood, two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, and the casts and creative teams from series “Pluribus,” “Landman,” “Power Book IV: Force” and “A Man on the Inside.”
The Paley Museum will host conversations with sportscaster Bob Costas on Dec. 9; next year, Paley Museum displays will include an event themed to the 50th season of “Survivor.” The venue will also hold a Super Bowl watch party, a new artist and songwriter series and more.
variety.com
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