This year, a beloved Lincoln Square institution—the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (40 Lincoln Center Plaza)—celebrates its 60th anniversary. Since opening in 1965, this unique hybrid of library and museum has been an unparalleled resource for artists, researchers, and performing arts enthusiasts. It offers an incredible wealth of archives and materials documenting the rich history of the arts while hosting free public exhibitions and performances. Today, it stands as the world’s foremost public center for performing arts research. In recognition of its invaluable contributions, the Library recently received a prestigious Tony Honor for Excellence in Theatre at the Tony Awards ceremony this June. The 60th-anniversary celebrations are a tribute to the artists, audiences, and pivotal moments that have shaped the NYPL for the Performing Arts over the past six decades.
To commemorate this special anniversary, the Library has teamed up with Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (10 Lincoln Center Plaza) to curate Living Library: Celebrating 60 Years, a series of events including film screenings, storytimes, reading parties, dance recitals, exclusive tours of the Library, participatory workshops, play readings, a record fair, a concert, a silent disco, and more.
The Living Library kicks off on Wednesday, July 23, with a Special Edition Children’s Story Time at 11:00am and 1:00pm in David Geffen Hall (10 Lincoln Center Plaza) and continues into the night with the Library Silent Disco: Decades Party 1965-2025 at 8:00pm on the dance floor at Josie Robertson Plaza. On Friday, July 25, at 3:00pm, The 50th Anniversary of A Chorus Line: Panel Discussion will take place at the Library, celebrating the history of the groundbreaking musical and featuring original 1975 cast members Kelly Bishop, Baayork Lee, Priscilla Lopez, and Donna McKechnie as panelists. The festivies conclude on Sunday, July 27, with a dance performance of Hidden Forest by Elaine Summers at 8:00pm at Hearst Plaza (30 Lincoln Center Plaza).
You can find a complete calendar of events here. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate six decades of artistic legacy and innovation!
Photo Credit: New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
