Museum of the Moving Image

About the Business

Specialties

Museum of the Moving Image advances the public understanding and appreciation of the art, history, technique, and technology of film, television, and digital media. It does so by collecting, preserving, and providing access to moving-image related artifacts; screening significant films and other moving-image works; presenting exhibitions of artifacts, artworks, and interactive experiences; and offering educational and interpretive programs to students, teachers, and the general public.

History

Established in 1988.

Museum of the Moving Image is located on the site of the Astoria Studio, one of the largest motion picture and television production facilities in the United States. Originally built as Paramount's East Coast production facility in 1920, over 120 silent and sound films were produced at the studio until it was taken over in 1942 by the U.S. Signal Corps and became known as the Army Pictorial Center. The building eventually fell into disuse, until a non-profit foundation restored it to productive use 1977. That year, "The Wiz" ushered in a new era of feature film production. In addition to reviving the studio, the foundation used one of the original studio buildings to establish a museum about motion pictures and television. Museum of the Moving Image opened to the public in 1988 and offers visitors an innovative blend of historical artifacts, commissioned art works, video clips, and interactive exhibits shows how moving images are made, marketed, and exhibited.