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Materials for the Arts

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Materials for the Arts

MFTA, a program of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, collects surplus materials and redistributes them to its members: nonprofits with arts programming, public schools, social service groups, and city agencies.

08/20/2026

Join us on Thursday, September 3, 2026 from 6:30 – 8:30pm for a T-shirt silkscreen workshop and closing event for “Lucky Finds: Second Chances,” an exhibition of works by MFTA Designer-in-Residence Scooter LaForge.

In his exhibition at the MFTA Gallery, “Lucky Finds: Second Chances,” LaForge uses his signature brightly colored painting style, incorporating pop culture imagery, illustrations, and found objects to create stunning artworks. By exploring and juxtaposing the different reused materials available in the MFTA warehouse, LaForge incorporates the many imbued meanings found in everything from children’s book illustrations to comic books, to plastic jack o’ lanterns, to old couches, to leather jackets, and much more.

Enjoy the last weeks of this MFTA Gallery exhibition, which remains on view through September 17, 2026.

Thursday, September 3 | 6:30 – 8:30pm
33-00 Northern Blvd, 3rd fl.
Long Island City, NY 11101

👉RSVP at the link in bio!

08/10/2026

Any equestrians in the house? 😛 Check out this new donation we’ve got in the warehouse! Smells kinda funky, which could mean nothing... 👁️

Check out this donation and many more at the MFTA warehouse by booking your next shopping appointment at nyc.gov/mfta. 🛒

08/04/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended our reception for MFTA Designer-in-Residence Scooter LaForge’s “Lucky Finds: Second Chances”!

A true downtown artist, LaForge’s cartoonish creations have a genuine NYC feel with playful interpretations of beloved characters like Bambi and Popeye; his vintage caricatures’ urban twist has multigenerational appeal. Through MFTA’s unique Designer-in-Residence program, LaForge transformed finds from MFTA’s 35,000-square-foot warehouse—a Candyland of inspiration and vintage ephemera, from Mickey Mouse plushies to ‘50s-era suitcases and Barbie dolls—into this new body of work.

“Lucky Finds: Second Chances” is on view at Materials for the Arts Gallery through September 17, 2026, welcoming visitors Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 4:30pm, excluding federal holidays. Admission to this exhibition is free and open to the public.

07/28/2026

Step into the rich tradition of quilt making!

Co-taught by Joy Suarez and our former Designer-in-Residence Daveed Baptiste (daveedbaptiste), this MFTA’s summer studio class takes a deep dive into the historical progression and cultural significance of padded fabric throughout the ages.

Participants will be introduced to the origins of quilting and methods utilized in fabric layering, from ancient practices in diverse cultures to contemporary innovations using technology. Through the evolution of piecing together textiles participants will experience firsthand how to quilt a series of square pieces for a personal narrative, using upcycled and non-traditional fabrics from the MFTA warehouse.

✳️Please note: This class is open to artists, creatives, educators, and all who are interested. NYC Public Schools teachers can earn CTLE credits for this course (45 CTLE hours) but cannot earn credits toward their ASPDP Salary Differential. This is *not* a P-credit course.

MFTA’s Quilt Making course takes place from August 10 - 15.

👉Learn more and register:
https://www.materialsforthearts.org/event/quilt-making-summer-2026/

07/09/2026

A glorious time was had at the MFTA warehouse thanks to performances from Kembra Pfahler as The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black and Jacob Madden, as well as a surprise tap dance performance from Joe?!?!?!

Raging in a metal box, bouffant hair teased to the heavens, heavenly piano playing, and just downright punk rock music-making goodness were just some of the highlights from this concert hosted at our warehouse. And did we say it was free? That’s right! These performances were a part of MFTA’s Third Thursday programming, where once a month this city program opens its warehouse doors to the general public for highly anticipated arts programming because at MFTA we firmly believe art should be accessible to everyone.

If you’re feeling FOMO from looking at the recap photos (we don’t blame you…), check out the link in MFTA’s bio to see all of our upcoming programming.

📸 Photos courtesy of Bob Krasner (Bob Krasner / Bob Krasner).

07/07/2026

Just a few more days to catch “All Night I Hear The Noise of Water Sobbing” on view at the MFTA Gallery!

Mattingly’s exhibition name, “All Night I Hear the Noise of Water Sobbing,” arose from the artist’s wanderings through the MFTA warehouse where she found a collection of poems written by Alejandra Pizarnik of the same title. As a part of their residency, MFTA Artists-in-Residence have access to MFTA’s 35,000-square-foot warehouse of materials to choose from, as well as an entire studio space to develop their work. Mattingly’s exhibition reflects on this immense space replete with items and their collective histories, recognizing what they once were, where they are now, and what they could have become. “All Night I Hear the Noise of Water Sobbing” puts hyper-consumerism on display, suspending an abundance of materials connected by tubes of water, a nod to the way discarded objects can accumulate in our waterways.

“All Night I Hear the Noise of Water Sobbing” is on view at Materials for the Arts Gallery through July 9, 2026, welcoming visitors Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 4:30pm, excluding federal holidays. Admission to this exhibition is free and open to the public.

07/03/2026

In observance of the July 4 holiday, MFTA is closed and is not accepting donations on Friday, July 3. We will resume accepting donations on Monday, July 6.

As we mark this year, we’re reflecting on the creativity, stories, and communities that continue to shape our shared history. MFTA is proud to support the artists, cultural organizations, and creative communities that make New York City the cultural capital of the world.

Learn more at nyc.gov/mfta.

Photo courtesy of Jordan’s Vasquez.

Address

33-00 Northern Boulevard
New York, NY
11101

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://materialsforthearts.org/

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