The National Trust for Historic Preservation and People for the Pavilion are currently hosting an international ideas competition to solicit imaginative and creative visions for the future of the New York State Pavilion in Queens, NY. Architect Philip Johnson designed the New York State Pavilion for the 1964-65 World’s Fair, which drew an estimated 51 million visitors to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park for a celebration of culture and technology.

To lower the barriers to entry that generally prevent participation in ideas competitions and to engage local communities, the National Trust and People for the Pavilion have partnered with Hibridos Collective, who are helping participants re-envision the iconic structure using participatory art through a series of public programs in open spaces throughout Queens. Their “People’s Tent of Tomorrow” pop-up tent pays tribute to the Pavilion. Passersby are invited to learn about the significance and history of the Pavilion through educational and archival materials. “During our public programs, our Queens-based teaching artists share their skills and craft to facilitate a creative process with participants by helping them visualize and represent their ideas through drawing, doodling, sketching and other forms of design,” said Beatriz Gil, co-founder of Hibridos Collective.

Presented by the National Trust and People for the Pavilion, and sponsored by Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, the New York State Pavilion Ideas Competition is an “anything goes” approach to radically re-imagine one of New York City’s most iconic buildings and a defining landmark of Queens. You do not have to be an architect or an engineer to enter. This competition is open to anyone over the age of 13 who loves the Pavilion and wants to see it reopened for future generations.

The ideas competition website nyspideas.org includes the competition objectives, requirements, and resources to assist applicants. The website is open for entries until Friday, July 1.

• Saturday, May 28, 12:00 - 4:00 PM
  78th Street Plaza/Playstreet
  78th Street between 34th Avenue and Northern Boulevard

• Saturday, June 25, 12:00 - 4:00 PM
  Corona Plaza
  Service Road between Roosevelt Avenue, National and 104th Streets

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About People for the Pavilion

People for the Pavilion (PFP) is a 501(c)3 non-profit advocacy organization whose mission is to develop a vibrant community around the New York State Pavilion and to raise awareness about the structure.

About Hibridos Collective

Hibridos Collective is based in Jackson Heights, Queens (NY, USA). The collective works at the intersection of art and community through collaborations with neighbors and artists in sidewalks, parks, plazas and other unexpected and unprecedented spaces. www.hibridos.co