Beacon to the World: A History of Lincoln Center

by Joseph W Polisi

A comprehensive history of the creation and growth of Lincoln Center, exploring the interconnections between politicians, financiers, and performing artists
 
“Masterful. . . . A powerful work of nonfiction with the drama of a novel.”—Jaap van Zweden, Wall Street Journal
 
In this comprehensive history of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, longtime Juilliard president Joseph Polisi guides us through the complex convergence of the worlds of politics, finance, and the performing arts throughout the years of the Center’s history, including the roles played by Robert Moses, John D. Rockefeller 3rd, Leonard Bernstein, William Schuman, Elia Kazan, Joseph Papp, Alice Tully, Beverly Sills, and many others.

Polisi explores the social and political environment during the Center’s history, reflecting the growth and evolution of the performing arts in America from its post–World War II roots to the present day of global interaction. The history of the birth and growth of this unique institution is a story of determination, economic acumen, political machinations, artistic innovations, and above all the strong belief that the arts are at the center of the fabric of American society and that they should be supported and embraced by all citizens.

336 pages, Hardcover

Published June 14, 2022

Reviews

[Andrei Rybin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly a protracted list of who sat on what committee and occupied what post for how long with very little interesting to say about the actual Lincoln Center. I'm not pedantic enough for this book.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gobs of money, architectural mistakes, accoustics nightmares, divas, politicians, millionaires, artistic genuises -- the history of Lincoln Center involves it all. This is a thorough history of how the original concept of Lincoln Center was born and has evolved. Its fascinating, but exhausting. One wishes there had been an easier, less expensive way to do this. The project began by destroying a thriving Black and Puerto Rican community to make way for a cultural center that would be a "Beacon to the World." Today, Lincoln Center strives to be less a cultural center for the wealthy and more welcoming to a much more diverse audience and a wider range of cultural offerings. I finished the book wanting to take a tour of the whole place and see for myself what it has become.

[Meighan Corbett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book; for the view of New York City history and politics, it’s wonderful as well as the history of a storied NYC treasure. Right or wrong, the creation of this NYC cultural world has been historic. A quick read as well!