NEW YORK.- The Museum of the Moving Image unveiled the design for a major renovation and expansion of its facility in Astoria, New York. The announcement was made by Rochelle Slovin, Director of the Museum, Herbert S. Schlosser, Chairman of the Museum's Board of Trustees, and Thomas Leeser, principal of Leeser Architecture.

The renovation and expansion will nearly double the size of the Museum and will feature a garden and outdoor movie theater for summer screenings, concerts, and special events; new exhibition spaces and digital media galleries; and an education center with new facilities for students and teachers. The design also calls for a new collection storage facility to be built to house the Museum's 150,000 artifacts relating to the history of motion pictures, television, and digital media; and a new 74-seat screening room as well as a complete renovation of the existing 200-seat Riklis Theater. Other elements planned for the Museum's renovation include a new lobby, shop, café, and dynamic street presence.

The Museum's founding director, Rochelle Slovin, says, "Thomas Leeser's brilliant design integrates the Museum's innovative approach to film, television, and digital media into every architectural element. This renovation and expansion will allow us to better serve our growing audience, and will ensure the Museum's continued leadership in the study and appreciation of screen culture."

Chairman Herbert S. Schlosser notes, "The digital revolution is transforming the role of the moving image in our society and culture. The new Museum will be a part of that process. This project will greatly expand the educational resources of the Museum and enhance its role as a cultural institution in the community and the city at large."

Thomas Leeser remarks, "Our challenge was to make the Museum of the Moving Image an event-driven experience where complexity is created from the convergence of architecture and the infinite thinness of the filmic image."

Phase I: The renovation of entire first floor of existing building (including exterior street presence, lobby, shop, William Fox Gallery, Digital Media Gallery, Riklis Theater) and construction of new, freestanding, Community Board offices, is scheduled to begin summer of 2005.

Phase II: Construction of the new five level addition, garden, and outdoor movie theater is expected to commence summer of 2006.