NEW YORK, NY.- Madison Avenue will be the epicenter of the New York art world on Saturday, May 15 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. when 50 of the world’s most prestigious art and antique galleries will host the 3rd Annual Madison Avenue Art Gallery Walk. The Madison Avenue Gallery Walk was created to promote Madison Avenue as New York’s premiere destination for art, introduce the public to the joy of visiting art galleries and to support arts education programming in New York City’s public schools.

Presented by the Madison Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) and sponsored by HSBC Bank USA N.A. and New York Magazine, the Gallery Walk will benefit The Fund for Public Schools, a not-for-profit organization chaired by NYC Schools Chancellor Joel Klein and Vice Chaired by Mortimer Zuckerman and Caroline Kennedy.

“There are many ways for New Yorkers to get involved to help our public schools, and the galleries of Madison Avenue are setting a brilliant example for us all,” said Caroline Kennedy. “I would encourage everyone to stop by the Walk on Saturday, May 15, to explore the galleries that help make up our vibrant arts community. Although we have come a long way toward giving more of our students a comprehensive arts education, there is still so much work to be done. I would like to thank the Madison Avenue Business Improvement District, HSBC, and New York magazine for their creative partnership with The Fund for Public Schools to help support arts education.”

Showcasing the breadth and depth of the collections represented by the world class Madison Avenue art and antique galleries on 29 art-filled blocks and adjacent side streets between 57th and 86th Streets, families and art enthusiasts will be welcomed to spend the day viewing the current exhibitions and taking advantage of free and unique events. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., free hourly guided gallery tours will be offered for families and individuals conducted by art faculty from the New York City’s Public Schools. There will be free gallery talks throughout the day by artists and curators. There will be a special art exhibition of “Tomorrow’s Artists” by New York City school children in the lobby of the HSBC Bank at 1002 Madison Avenue, and in participating galleries. For families and their children, a highlight will be an art scavenger hunt. The Whitney Museum is a partner in the event, providing two for one admission for the day for those completing the Madison Avenue Gallery Walk Scavenger Hunt. A map will direct the public.

Integrated into the public programs are receptions for the leading art patrons of Madison Avenue galleries. There will be a kick-off benefit cocktail reception and silent auction of works donated by Madison Avenue Galleries on Thursday, May 13, at The Surrey Hotel’s new rooftop garden. The Whitney Museum of American Art will sponsor a Gallery Walk breakfast preview for its patrons, and the NYC Association of Hotel Concierges will be treated to advance private gallery tours to encourage tourists and visitors to celebrate Gallery Walk when they are in New York.

The Gallery Walk is free and open to the public. Tour check-in locations are at: Arader Galleries, 1016 Madison Avenue or the Fuller Building, owned by Vornado Realty Trust, at 41 East 57th Street. Reservations are required and space is limited for the guided gallery tours. To RSVP or for more information, contact the Madison Avenue BID at (212) 861-2055

Participating Galleries:
Acquavella Gallery, Adelson Gallery, Alaska on Madison, Amador Gallery, Antiquarium Ltd., Arader Galleries, Armand Bartos Fine Art, Bonni Benrubi Gallery, Dalva Brothers Inc., Daum, David Benrimon Fine Art LLC, Didier Aaron, Inc., Florian Papp, Fortuna Fine Arts Ltd, Friedman & Vallois LLC, Gagosian Gallery and Shop, Gemini G.E.L. at Joni Moisant Weyl, Guild Antiques II, H.M. Luther Antiques, Hauser & Wirth New York, Hollis Taggart Galleries, Howard Greenberg Gallery, Jacobson Howard Gallery, James Graham & Sons Gallery, Jan Krugier Gallery, Jane Kahan Gallery, Kapoor Gallery, Karl Kemp & Assoc. Ltd. Antiques, Katharina Rich Perlow Gallery, Keith De Lellis Gallery, Keszler Gallery, Kouros Gallery, L & M Arts, Lalique Haviland, Leila Taghinia Milani Heller Gallery, Leslie Feely Fine Art, Lillian Heidenberg Fine Art, Macklowe Gallery, Michelle Rosenfeld Gallery, Mitchell-Innes & Nash, Nailya Alexander, Nathan A. Bernstein & Co., Nicholas Brawer Gallery, Phoenix Ancient Art, Praxis International Art, Saffronart, Sigrid Freundorfer Fine Art, LLC, Skarstedt Gallery, Stellan Holm Gallery, The Galleries at Hermes, Trezza, Van de Weghe Fine Art, Wendt Gallery, Whitney Museum of American Art, Zabriskie Gallery