Through short-form documentaries, On This Spot re-centers women artists in the story of New York’s creative life.
Join us as we explore the places where they lived and worked, dreamed, laughed, danced, and found the inspiration and community to create their art.
Through a biographical and feminist lens, we pair rigorous scholarship with the richness of human stories – spotlighting women artists both famous, and those you might never have heard of.
Our storytelling empowers audiences to see art history in new ways, connecting the past to the present with intelligence and heart. And because we believe these stories belong to everyone, we make our work freely available to all.
These videos were produced by On This Spot NYC, Inc. a New York 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit corporation. The copyright to these videos is held exclusively by On This Spot NYC, Inc. No reproduction of these videos, in full or in part, and no public broadcast or display of the videos, in full or in part, is allowed without the prior written authorization of On This Spot NYC, Inc. The videos were created and are being presented by On This Spot NYC, Inc. entirely for nonprofit educational purposes consistent with the terms and requirements required by the IRS.
“On This Spot is an extremely powerful cultural and historical achievement. The vividness and depth of each of these fascinating portraits – of individual artists, of artist groups and of places and spaces and relationships – is an invaluable contribution to a more reality-based understanding of post-war contemporary art history.”
– Adrian Piper
Pioneering conceptual artist and Kantian philosopher.
“On This Spot is a timely reminder of the power of women and feminist artists—a recent history that is in danger of being forgotten.”
– Lucy R. Lippard
Influential feminist, celebrated art critic, activist, and curator
“On This Spot is an indispensible art historical reference and guide through five decades of cultural ferment told from the point of view of women artists at the center of it. In fact, it’s even more than that. On This Spot is art history come to life. It is so vibrant, so real, you can almost smell the turpentine.”
– Mary Gabriel
Bestselling author of Ninth Street Women,
“A must see! It is among the few documents of these artists who are definitely a part of the main history of art. This is a great resource documenting the early scene in New York City.”
– Lynda Benglis
Renowned artist who revolutionized the art of sculpture in the 1970s
“I love On This Spot for its brevity, these two minute samplings of not only an artist’s history and work, but of the landmark areas, collectives and hangouts where artists gathered in the past. Such a brilliant idea.”
– Cindy Sherman
One of the most influential artists of our time, who explores gender, identity, and the representation of women
“On This Spot vividly brings to life the dynamic, boundary-breaking culture of New York that gave Louise Nevelson the freedom to express herself through both her art and distinctive personal style. This delightful video brilliantly captures the essence of this bold artist with clarity. Bravo!”
– Maria Nevelson
Founder of the Louise Nevelson Foundation
Women artists represent less than 15% of the global art market and account for only 11% of acquisitions in U.S. museums
To help women artists claim their Spot, by telling their stories.
We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Faith Ringgold in her studio, courtesy of the artist and ACA Galleries. Photograph of Lynda Benglis 1970 originally published in Life, February 1970 Photo: Henry Groskinsky. © Life Inc. Image: Courtesy the artist and Cheim & Read, New York. Lorraine O’Grady, “Art is…Nubians,” 1983/2009, courtesy of the artist and Alexander Gray Gallery.
On This Spot is organized by neighborhood, starting in the West Village and East Village, then continuing to SoHo, Lower East Side, Chelsea, TriBeCa, Midtown, Upper East Side, Upper West Side and Harlem. We move through the decades from the 1950s to the end of the 20th century.
On This Spot is web-based. Content is free and available on Youtube, Vimeo and Bloomberg Connects.
On This Spot’s mission combines education, arts, feminism, digital engagement, and New York City civic pride. Our partners’ extensive reach provides distribution to millions of followers.
The project is free to all, and captioned in 16 languages for access to a wide audience.
Agnes Denes, 1982 public work, “Wheatfield — A Confrontation,” in Lower Manhattan. Courtsey Leslie Tonkonow Artworks + Projects; John McGrall.
The Team
Our leadership team has wide expertise in art history, film production, and digital technology.
Executive Director, Loretta Howard
Producer, Tony Ganz
Director of Archival Research and Production, Lisa Mason
Development Manager, Lily Kaufman
Director of Distribution and Marketing, Bella Anastasio
Director of Post-Production, Zhouanqi Liu
Legal Counsel, Irina Tarsis
Director of Administration and Editing, Anthony Torrano
Director of Educational Engagement, Loretta Yarlow
Sound Engineering, Robert Lurie
Graphic Designer, Hannah Alderfer
Screenwriter, John Zinsser
Lorinda Ash, Ash Fine Art
Naomi Baigell, Managing Director, Art Finance
Julie Cucchi, Director, Co-Founder of 98pt
Tony Ganz, Co-Founder, Film Producer, Board Chair
Sarah Greenberg Morse, Estate Advisor, Former WSJ Photo Editor
Susan Harris, Curator & Writer of Contemporary Art
Loretta Howard, Co-Founder, Executive Director
Melissa Lazarov, Former Global Director Gagosian
Rachel Newton Bellow, Co-Founder & Executive Board Chair at Bonfire
Beth Rudin DeWoody, Art Collector, Curator and Philanthropist
Susan Sigda, Finance, Investor, Treasurer
Anthony Torrano, Secretary
Esther S. Trakinski, JD, MA, Legal Counsel
Lilly Wei, Art Critic, Writer
Bentley Brown, New York University, Institute of Fine Arts, Ph.D.
Daniel Belasco, Executive Director, Al Held Foundation
Melissa Rachleff Burtt, NYU Professor, Author of Inventing Downtown
Rebecca Faulkner, Senior Development Advisor, Poet
Signe Howard, VP, Development, Manhattan School of Music
Catherine Morris, Senior Curator, Feminist Center, Brooklyn Museum
Helaine Posner, Feminist Art Historian, Author and Curator
John Zinsser, Writer, Professor New School
Support for On This Spot has been generously provided by the following as well as by hundreds of individual donors. Thank you!
On This Spot NYC, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All contributions are tax deductible.
Please join our efforts and participate in the rediscovery and celebration of groundbreaking women artists!
