Tours of the Empire State Plaza will focus on its architecture, history, art, and memorials
Participants must make Reservations and follow COVID-19 protocols
New York State Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner RoAnn Destito today announced the start of free outdoor tours at the Empire State Plaza — one of the Plaza Art Collection and another of the Plaza itself. The tours last approximately 45 minutes, with the art tours offered at 11 a.m. and the Plaza tours given at noon each Friday, from August 21 through October 2.
“We at OGS are excited to restart our popular outdoor Empire State Plaza tours and showcase all the Empire State Plaza has to offer, from the 20th-century Modernist architecture to the impressive collection of Abstract Expressionist artwork,” Commissioner Destito said. “With the reinstallation of one of the collection’s centerpieces, Alexander Calder’s sculpture Triangles and Arches, this is the perfect time to visit the Plaza and enjoy its unique art collection, which belongs to the people of New York.”
Free Empire State Plaza Art Collection Outdoor Tours
Art historians have called the collection “the greatest collection of modern American art in any single public site that is not a museum.” The collection was formed under the direction of Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller during the construction of the Empire State Plaza (1966–1978).
A highlight of the art tours will be Triangles and Arches by Alexander Calder, who is considered by many to be one of the most influential American sculptors of the 20th century. The 55-year-old artwork, which weighs approximately 8,000 pounds, is making its return to the Plaza after being temporarily removed in 2018 for much-needed conservation work. The sculpture is being reinstalled in the reflecting pool in front of the Plaza’s Grand Staircase.
The tour will focus on the creation of this historic collection, as well as highlights of the outdoor works of art on permanent display throughout the Plaza. The Empire State Plaza Art Collection is a public collection owned by the people of New York State and cared for by the New York State Office of General Services.
Where: Tour starts outside at the main entrance to The Egg Center for the Performing Arts.
When: 11 a.m. on Fridays.
Reservations by phone required: A maximum of 10 people will be allowed to participate in each tour. To make a reservation, call (518) 474-2418.
Free Empire State Plaza Tours
The Empire State Plaza is at the center of one of the most spectacular capitals in the world: a 98 1/2-acre city-within-a-city that includes one of the greatest public collections of modern American art in the country, a cultural education center, and a unique performing arts center, The Egg. On this tour, discover this world-class complex. Learn how government and culture are housed within the Modern architecture of the Empire State Plaza, including the Plaza’s memorials, and receive an overview of the Plaza Art Collection.
Where: Tour starts outside at the main entrance to The Egg Center for the Performing Arts.
When: Noon on Fridays.
Reservations by phone required: A maximum of 10 people will be allowed to participate in each tour. To make a reservation, call (518) 474-2418.
Special Protocols for COVID-19
At the time of the reservation, guests will be informed of safety protocols in place to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus, including mandatory wearing of masks or facial coverings, mandatory social distancing, and mandatory verbal screenings on the day of the tour. Guests will be asked:
- If they have recently traveled (or will be traveling) from a State on New York’s mandatory quarantine list.
- If they have any symptoms or are feeling ill.
- If they have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone who was diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past two weeks.
- If they have traveled out of New York State in the past 14 days.
Guests are directed to cancel if they are experiencing any virus symptoms.
For updates on Empire State Plaza and Plaza Art Collection tours, visit empirestateplaza.ny.gov; @NYSCapitolVisit on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or @PlazaArtCollection on Instagram, or call (518) 474-2418.
