Friends of the Library for the Performing Arts

Photograph of young ballerinas on stage

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (LPA) houses one of the world's most extensive collections related to dance, film, music, and theater. Besides books, LPA's impressive holdings include rare recordings, scores, manuscripts, programs, and more. These materials are available free of charge, along with a wide range of exhibitions, seminars, screenings, and performances.

It's only with the support of Friends of LPA that the Library for the Performing Arts can continue to offer free access to the performing arts to amateurs and scholars alike.

As a thank you for your generous support, when you join Friends of LPA, you’ll receive exclusive benefits such as:

  • Subscription to a members-only newsletter
  • Savings in the Library Shop
  • Invitations to members-only events
  • And so much more—see below.

Join the Friends of the Library for the Performing Arts and help us spark creativity and preserve history for the next generation of artists.

Join • Renew • Give the Gift of Membership • Monthly Giving • Honor and Memorial Gifts • Start Your Own Fundraising Campaign

Membership Benefits

Hilary Knight poster on display at LPA

Friend ($50–$99) | Join • Renew • Monthly Giving • Give the Gift of Membership

Fully tax-deductible

  • Personalized Donor Membership Card
  • A year's subscription to the quarterly Friends of LPA Membership e-Newsletter
  • 10% discount at the Library Shop (Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street), in-store and online
  • 20% discount at the Library's cafe (select Library Locations)
  • Special access to The Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library's Treasures

Designers Circle ($100–$249) | Join • Renew • Monthly Giving • Give the Gift of Membership

All except $63 is tax-deductible

​All Friends benefits, plus:

  • ​10% discount at the Schomburg Center Shop, in-store and online
  • Invitation for two to the Library's annual Holiday Open House
  • Invitation for two to the annual Book Swap
  • Invitation for two to the Annual Members Breakfast
  • Reserved Seating at select Library for the Performing Arts public programs

Directors Circle ($250–$499) | Join • Renew • Monthly Giving •​ Give the Gift of Membership

All except $132 is tax-deductible

All Designers Circle benefits, plus:

  • Two additional Holiday Open House invitations, for a total of four
  • Invitation for two to the annual Friends Lecture Luncheon
  • Special membership gift from Friends of LPA
  • Opportunity to reserve two seats at select LIVE from NYPL programs

Producers Circle ($500–$999) | Join • Renew • Monthly Giving • Give the Gift of Membership

All except $132 is tax-deductible

All Directors Circle benefits, plus:

  • A backstage look at The Library for the Performing Arts collections
  • Reserved seating for two at select Library for the Performing Arts musical theatre performances

Angels Circle ($1,000–$2,499) | Join • Renew • Monthly Giving •Give the Gift of Membership

All except $161 is tax-deductible

All Producers Circle benefits, plus:

  • Special behind-the-scenes tour of your choice with curators of the Music, Dance, Theatre, or Recorded Sound Divisions
  • Acknowledgment of your support in The New York Public Library's Annual Report
  • Exclusive exhibition openings at The New York Public Library's research libraries

Benefactors Circle ($2,500–$4,999) | Join • Renew • Monthly Giving • Give the Gift of Membership

All except $176 is tax-deductible

All Angels Circle benefits, plus:

  • Invitation for you and a guest to attend Cocktails with a Curator

Stars Circle ($5,000–$9,999) | Join • Renew • Give the Gift of Membership

All except $276 is tax-deductible

All Benefactors Circle benefits, plus:

  • Private Lunch with the Barbara G. Fleischman Executive Director of The Library for the Performing Arts*

Impresario Circle ($10,000+) | Join • Renew • Give the Gift of Membership

All except $301 is tax-deductible

All Stars Circle benefits, plus:

  • Invitation to annual Cullman Center Tea
  • Gift a complimentary membership to a friend or family member ($100 Designers Circle)

*This benefit is available upon request and may impact tax-deductibility.

All benefits subject to change

Join by Mail

Photograph of Library for the Performing Arts

Please make checks payable to Library for the Performing Arts/NYPL and include "membership" in the memo. Send to:

The New York Public Library
Friends of LPA Office
270 Madison Ave, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10016

If you have any questions, please contact the Friends of the Library for the Performing Arts Membership Office, at friendsLPA@nypl.org or 212.592.7581.