Bridging Community, Art & International Culture
IN 2024 WE CELEBRATED YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CULTURAL COMMUNITY!
A View of the Second Floor Gallery 2020
What We Do
• The Williamsburg Art and Historical (WAH) Center is a nonprofit arts center housed inside the historical landmarked Kings County Savings Bank Building located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The WAH Center has been a pillar of the Brooklyn community for 25 years as of 2021.
• The center is used for local and international artists and performers to showcase their work while simultaneously providing the public with enriching cultural experiences. Our goal is to encourage artistic development and open communication between artists and the public through exhibitions and performances.
• The WAH Center is affiliated with the Yuko Nii Foundation that holds and maintains the building and the collections.
• We are a local and international art and cultural institutional leader with a collection of over 1000 works of contemporary art and many world class historical objects, European, American and Asian.
• YOU CAN BE PART OF OUR GREAT FUTURE!
Our Historical Landmarked Building
The Kings County Savings Bank, built in 1867, is on the National Register of Historic Places and was the seventh building to be landmarked in New York City. The location (Williamsburg, Brooklyn) of the building is one of New York’s most historically significant areas. Yuko Nii bought the building in 1996 for creating the art center. Later Yuko created the Yuko Nii Foundation and contributed the building to the foundation. The purpose of the foundation is to hold and maintain the building and its collections. The purpose of the WAH Center is to be the presenting organization for art and performances.
NEW YORK CITY LANDMARK IN 1966
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES IN 1980
Historical Landmarked Building Continued
“The Kings County Savings Bank is an outstanding example of French Second Empire architecture, displaying a wealth of ornament and diverse architectural elements.
A business building of imposing grandeur, the Kings County Savings Bank "represents a period of conspicuous display in which it was not considered vulgar, at least by the people in power, to boast openly of one's wealth. From its scale and general character there is nothing , on the outside, that would distinguish the Kings County Savings Bank from a millionaires mansion.”
(from History preserved: New York City landmarks & historic districts, Harmon H. Gladstone & Martha Dalyrmple, Simon & Schuster, 1974).
The Building Late 19th Century
• The building had a fountain in front and a Gothic style church in back. To build the Williamsburg Bridge in 1905, the the church was removed.
• Notice the trolley tracks on the side of the building.
Content
• Williamsburg Art and Historical Center’s (WAH Center’s) history– timeline
• Future plans for the center
• Our services
– Art exhibitions
– Performing arts space
• Publicity and recognition
• Our audience
• The Yuko Nii Foundation’s (YNF’s) contemporary art collection project
• The YNF’s historical collections
• Becoming a partner – projects at hand and the different tiers of involvement
• Good community citizens
• Contact and general information
Recognition by Leaders
Yuko Nii, Founder, purchases the Kings County Savings Bank and establishes the Williamsburg Art and Historical Center.
February 7, 1997, then New York State Governor George Pataki presented Nii “Congratulations Letter” on founding the WAH Center which provides innovative programs and exhibitions by turning the historic Kings County Savings Bank into a multipurpose arts center that serves the need of artists and art aficionados of diverse backgrounds.
March 26, 1998, then Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden named Nii one of “Brooklyn’s Women of the Year” for her “unparalleled devotion to her art and commitment to the artist community of Williamsburg/Greenpoint.” And he said that the WAH Center’s activities have resulted in “tremendous cultural & economic activity throughout the northern Brooklyn area, an area recently designated as an ‘historic district’ and an ‘economic development zone.’”
March 8, 2001, then New York State Governor George Pataki named Nii one of “New York State's Women of the Year,” and awarded her, honoring her as a “Woman of Excellence with Vision and Courage.” He also congratulated Nii on turning the historic Kings County Savings Bank into a multipurpose art center that serves the needs of artists and art aficionados of diverse backgrounds.
1996
1997 1998
March 13, 2003, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz gave Nii “The Betty Smith Arts Award” for her dedication to the preservation of the rich artistic and cultural community of Brooklyn.
May 29, 2008, during Asian Heritage Month Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz gave Nii “The Asian Cultural Award” for her “dynamic leadership and demonstrating outstanding commitment to the betterment of our community.”
February 16, 2009, then New York State Governor David Paterson named Nii one of New York States’ “Women of the Year” and awarded her for “being an influential role model who made historical contributions to the growth and the strength of the nation.”
2001
March 7, 2009, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg presented Nii a proclamation on the occasion of her “Women Forward” art exhibit, recognizing “the invaluable contributions of women artists by broadening women’s opportunities in the arts and creating new possibilities.” (
June 19, 2011, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz presented a“Proclamation” congratulating Nii on the success of the important fundraising event, “Artists Rescue Team for Japan” for the victims of Earthquakes, Tsunami and Fukushima’ nuclear plant in Japan on March 11 and thanking for allowing all to enjoy the vast richness of the arts community and raise a culturally-aware family.
2009
2009
Life Time Achievement Award
March 21, 2013, Pratt Institute President Thomas F. Schutte and the Office of Alumni Relations awarded Nii Pratt Institute’s 2013 Alumni Achievement Award, specifically the “Community Commitment Award” as one of the Pratt Institute’s outstanding graduates who have “distinguished themselves in their fields, having earned a high degree of respect among their colleagues and the general community, and whose impact has been felt on a regional, national or international level. Credit should be placed on the doorstep of the director of the Williamsburg Art and Historical Center, Yuko Nii. The Center operates out of the former Kings County Savings Bank Building (1867).
Present and Future Plans
• Capital Improvements
– Renovations on the façade of the building.
– Installation of an elevator for handicap accessibility,
– Renovations of the mansard roof attic for special programming.
• Staffing
– Increase in available staff to oversee special projects and programs
• Community Programs
– Development of educational arts programing
– Development programs for art institution cultivation
– Continuing art exhibitions, performance theater shows and film festivals (
• Expanded Arts Program
– WAH Center will present the YNF’s scholarly historical collection and contemporary art collection in permanent rotating exhibits in the renovated mansard roof area.
Our Services
Since the WAH Center opened in late 1996, there have been over 300 fine art shows involving more than 5,000 artists. Countless performances of dance, music and theater as well as lectures, and educational programs have been open to the public as a supportive neighborhood environment for the arts.
The WAH Center provides the New York City community with cultural arts and entertainment that are open to the public.
Art Exhibitions
Annual WAH Center Salon Member Art Shows
Performing Arts
Under Direction of Peter Dizzoza
• The WAH Center provides a creative environment where play writers. composers, actors and students can engage in experimental productions.
• Space in our unique landmarked building is a popular venue for film projects such as Boardwalk Empire and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
The Foundation’s Historical Rooms
The Grand Reception Hall
The Library
Naming Rights Available
The library contains many literary treasures from the 15th century forward, many first editions. Portrait is of Fanny Forrester (as seen on Wikipedia).
Another Period Room
The Treasure Room
Naming Rights Available
Couch and chairs by Pierre Antoine Bellange (as seen on Wikipedia). Painting by Édouard-Henri-Théophile Pingret (as seen on Wikipedia). Documents signed by Napoleon as Emperor and his brother Joseph on wall above.
Publicity and Recognition
• There have been many articles about or activities in the New York Times, Art & Antiques magazine and many other international news outlets, both in print and online.
• Many featured exhibitions and art shows at the WAH Center have advanced the artists’ careers through local and international exposure.
Our Audience
Demographics for South Williamsburg (11211), Brooklyn– the immediate community near the Williamsburg Art and Historical Center
Ethnicity of attendees for the WAHC
WAH Center’s Contemporary Collection
• The WAH Center has a contemporary arts collection with works by established and emerging artists. In our collection, are works by respected and outstanding artists such as Ilya Bolotowsky, Judy Chicago, Yayoi Kusama, Faith Ringgold, Jerry Rudquist, Toshiko Takaezu and many more.
The art collection will be permanently featured in the room to be built the WAH Center’s Mansard roof area of approximately 2800 sf.
Examples from the art collection
Ansei Uchima
Borlandelli
Mark Goodkin
Toshiko Takaezu
Gerard Barbot
Sachiko Fujino
Becoming a Partner
• By engaging in a corporate sponsorship with the WAH Center, your company will receive press exposure, category exclusivity and branding visibility in print and online.
• Three types sponsorship are available to allow for flexible participation. You can suggest others:
– 1- Corporate Sponsor Art Room – 2- Art Fundraising Event and Catalog – 3- Catalog Connection
A list of current catalogues may be seen at the end of this presentation
Tier 1 – Corporate Art Room
• Your Corporations’s sponsorship will pay for the necessary renovations needed for a permanent art exhibition installation. Additionally, a printed catalog will feature the collection and an event held that centers on the exclusive opening of the exhibition.
• “Brick and Mortar” work
– Installation of new floors in the mansard roof area, dividing the room into two separate floors for maximum usage of space
– Air conditioning
– Humidity controls
– Custom displays
– Custom racks
– Custom lighting
– Small renovations to the ceiling
Tier 1
• Added Value for your sponsorship:
– Custom art display cases with your logo.
– You will have naming exclusivity for the exhibition room in the form of a plaque. A description of your support for the arts is optional.
– You will have a banner in a visibly prominent position for the opening reception event inside and outside the WAHC.
– You will be recognized for their support on the WAHC webpage.
– You will receive visible promotional material placement in the reception area.
– Your logo will be featured in the back of the printed catalogs.
– First rights of refusal on corporate sponsorships for future art exhibitions.
• Cost of sponsorship: inquire
Tier 2 – Art Fundraising Event and Catalog
• An event centered around a preview viewing of one of the WAH Center’s 2nd floor gallery shows. Upcoming show September/October 2021 is “America the Beautiful: The Real & The Imagined.”
• Added value for your corporation:
– You will have a banner in a visibly prominent position for the event inside and outside the WAH Center.
– You will receive visible promotional material placement during the event.
– You will be recognized for your support on the WAHC’s webpage.
– Your logo will be featured in the back of the printed catalog.
• Cost of sponsorship: Inquire
Tier 3 – Catalog Connection
• A catalog dedicated to Yuko Nii Foundations’s permanent contemporary art collection will be printed for distribution to the public, other art and cultural institutions and affluent art enthusiasts.
• A catalog dedicated to Yuko Nii Foundations’s historical decorative arts collection will be printed for distribution to the public, other art and cultural institutions and affluent art enthusiasts.
• A catalog dedicated to Yuko Nii Foundations’s historical Japanese art collection will be printed for distribution to the public, other art and cultural institutions and affluent art enthusiasts.
• These catalogs will allow prominent art institutions to participate in borrowing pieces from the WAHC’s collection for public viewing. For example, the YNF’s belt buckle of Dr. Archibald Arnott worn whilst attending Napoleon on his deathbed will be lent to the Fusilier Museum in Bury this year.
• Added value for your corporation:
– You will be recognized for your support on the WAHC’s webpage
– Your corporate logo will be featured in the back of the printed catalogs.
• Cost of sponsorship: Inquire
Good Community Citizens
The Williamsburg Art and Historical Center’s plan to install a permanent art collection on the top floor of the building for public viewing will be a valuable asset to the New York City community. Your Corporation would be recognized permanently in this dedicated area as a good community citizen that supports arts and culture. By partnering together, you and the Williamsburg Art and Historical Center will support artistic innovation and creativity, bridging the gap between art and the community.
Contact and Information
This is an exciting time for the Williamsburg Art and Historical Center and we look forward to the opportunity to work with your corporation to create a mutually beneficial partnership. If you have any questions or would like the President, Terrance Lindall, to discuss the sponsorship in more detail, please feel free to contact him at 917-974-6096 or by email at tlindall@gmail.com
General Information
The Williamsburg Art and Historical Center’s website http://wahcenter.net/about/wahcenter.html
WAH Center (Williamsburg Art & Historical Center) 135 Broadway, Williamsburg Brooklyn, NY 11211 USA wahcenter@earthlink.net
