Materials for the Arts (MFTA), NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, collects donated materials and distributes them to over 3,300 organizations for reuse. Friends of Materials for the Arts (FOMA), a 501(c)(3) organization, supports MFTA with resources, staffing and expertise.

Description:
Materials for the Arts (MFTA), created by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in 1978, provides thousands of registered organizations with materials free of charge, including paper, fabric, building supplies, paint, office furniture, and household items. Headquartered in a spacious warehouse in Long Island City, MFTA collects reusable items from a host of donors, and distributes them to non-profit arts organizations, City agencies, public schools, and arts programs at social, health and community service organizations throughout New York City. In fiscal 2006, MFTA received 751 tons of materials valued at $6.5 million dollars. Additional City support comes from the Departments of Sanitation and Education in recognition of the important work MFTA does in reducing the waste and serving the public schools. Friends of Materials for the Arts, (FOMA), was established in 2002 as a 501(c)(3) organization to support and expand the work of MFTA.

History:
Back in the late 1970's a young CETA (Comprehensive Employment and Training Act) artist, named Angela Fremont, was working out of the Parks Department in Central Park. When she heard that the staff of the Central Park Zoo was looking for a refrigerator to house medicines for the animals, she put on her thinking cap. A call to a local radio show brought an on-air appeal for the refrigerator. Within minutes, the zoo's office was inundated with phone calls and the idea for Materials for the Arts was born.

Since 1978, MFTA has undergone significant changes. Starting as a one-person operation with a desk and a phone, we have grown into a program of eleven people with a 21,000 square foot facility and our own trucks.

Materials for the Arts owes much of this success to three forward-thinking departments of the City of New York. From the beginning, Materials for the Arts has been a program of the Department of Cultural Affairs, enabling us to support hundreds of arts and cultural groups in this city. In the late 1980's, leaders at the Department of Sanitation recognized the important work MFTA was doing in the area of reuse and waste reduction. As a result, we began to receive funding from the Department of Sanitation through their department of Waste Prevention, Reuse, and Recycling. In 1997, the Board of Education added support, allowing us to give teachers access to MFTA's supplies. By supplying schools with materials, we're helping in the restoration of arts education and leveling the playing field for all school districts in the city.

From a used refrigerator to 542 tons of materials valued at $3,600,000 per year, Materials for the Arts continues to grow and provide to those in need.

Contact people:

Johnese Wilson, Volunteer Coordinator, (718) 729-3001 ext. 213, (email) Harriet Taub, Director, (718) 729-3001 ext. 201, (email) Chelsea Romersa, Deputy Director, (718) 729-3001 ext. 204, (email)

Address:

33-00 Northern Blvd., 3rd Floor Long Island City, NY 11101 (See a map)

Directions:

Please refer to the website for the best directions. Click on 'the warehouse' to receive directions for each borough.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: N, W, R, V,   Walk distance (in minutes): 1 minute