An Update on Our Arts of Africa Galleries

Public Notice Regarding the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Section 106 Review of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences: Mobilization of Collection through Storage Assessment

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has offered Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, in Brooklyn, New York, a Challenge Infrastructure and Capacity Building grant (CHA-261990) to renovate two large rooms currently used for art storage on the third floor of the Brooklyn Museum of Arts and Sciences into a collection gallery space for African Art.

NEH is an independent grant-making agency of the United States government dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities. This public notice is issued as part of NEH’s responsibilities under 36 C.F.R. Part 800, the regulations which implement Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended, 54 U.S.C. 306108. NEH, a funding agency, is required by regulation to identify and assess the effects of any proposed actions on historic properties. If any proposed action will have an adverse effect on historic resources, NEH works with the appropriate parties to seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects. Additionally, the Section 106 regulations require NEH to consider the views of the public on preservation issues when making final decisions that affect historic properties.

The proposed project will take place within the Brooklyn Museum of Arts and Sciences, located at 200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, New York, 11238. The project will renovate two large rooms currently used for art storage on the third floor into gallery space. One of these rooms is a dramatic two-story space located on the northeast corner of the building with sweeping views of the neighborhood and the city. The Brooklyn Museum of Arts and Sciences is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and on state and local historic registers. The Area of Potential Effects is limited to the interior of the third floor. There will be no ground disturbing activities.

On July 7, 2024, Olivia Brazee, Historic Site Restoration Coordination with the New York State Historic Preservation Office (DC SHPO) provided a determination of no adverse effect to historic properties. After reviewing Section 106 documentation and SHPO finding, NEH issues a determination of no adverse effect to historic properties, conditioned on the submission of design drawings to New York SHPO and NEH for review and comment, once available.

As required by Section 106, NEH is providing the public with information about this project, as well as an opportunity to comment on any knowledge of, or concerns with, historic properties in the proposed project area, and issues relating to the project’s potential effects on historic properties. Comments may be submitted to the NEH by e-mail to FPO@neh.gov. The deadline for submitting comments is March 3, 2025.