About the Kaufman Center

Kaufman Center Facilities

All three of the Kaufman Center’s divisions––Merkin Concert Hall, Lucy Moses School and Special Music School––are housed in the Goodman House on West 67th Street in Manhattan.

The Goodman House has recently undergone a $17 million renovation process under the watchful eye of noted architect Robert A. M. Stern. Completed in January 2008, Stern’s design changes included enlarging and dramatically improving the lobbies, updating the amenities and technology in Merkin Concert Hall and creating new spaces for music classes, receptions, special events and theater workshops.

Stern also beautifully revitalized the building’s façade, while respecting its architectural heritage. Modernist architect Ashok Bhavnani designed the award-winning structure, and Stern’s reworking remains true to modernist aesthetics while introducing contemporary materials to give it a cleaner and more striking appearance.

Additional structural and mechanical improvements include the installation of a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

Goodman House

The Goodman House is named for Abraham Goodman, an early and devoted supporter of the Center (then known as The Hebrew Arts School). He and Mollie, his wife, became friends of the School through its founder, Dr. Tzipora Jochsberger. Their interest stemmed from his appreciation of the arts, their commitment to Judaism and the Jewish people and their love for children.

Upon the passing of Mollie in 1965, Abe pledged to fund the building of a home for the School on West 67th Street, as planned by members of the School’s Board. The Goodman House opened its doors on December 12,1978, and just one year later received the prestigious Albert S. Bard Trust Award for excellence in architecture and for its contribution to the quality of life from the City Club of New York.

Although Abraham Goodman passed away in 1988, the Goodman House stands as a tangible legacy of his tireless commitment to the arts and to the community.

The Goodman House provides a variety of facilities, including:

• Merkin Concert Hall;
• the Molly Goodman Gallery, used for after-school programs and special events;
• the intimate Ann Goodman Recital Hall, used for student and faculty recitals and available for rental;
• the new Balcony Lobby, which is now the Kaufman Center’s largest space for receptions, rehearsals and classes;
• classrooms, rehearsal studios and dance studios
• Birnbaum Music Library, an extensive collection of Israeli music in scores and on tape, in addition to other circulating musical material.

Merkin Concert Hall

Merkin Concert Hall is a fully equipped 450-seat performance space with both orchestra and balcony seating [PDF].

Known for its superb acoustics, Merkin also has state-of-the-art audio-visual capabilities, including updated infra-red listening systems for the hearing impaired and a professional recording studio. The Hall, including the recording studio, is available for rental.

The Hall is completely wheelchair accessible from concert entrance to concert seat, as are our restrooms. Patrons requiring wheelchair locations or aisle seats should mention this to the box office when ordering tickets.

We have a lost and found at the front desk and patrons may also call about lost items at 212-501-3308.

Our recent renovations include:

• enhanced audio-visual capabilities
• a redesigned lobby that is spacious, attractive and comfortable
• beautifully restored and re-upholstered seating in the concert hall
• a fully ADA-accessible concert space including renovated restrooms and entryways and ADA-accessible artist’s spaces backstage

Lucy Moses School

The Goodman House provides a variety of facilities for students, including:

• 15 sunlit classrooms;
• 22 bright music studios;
• 2 dance studios;
• an electronic piano studio;
• the Molly Goodman Gallery, which is often used for after-school programs and special events;
• the intimate Ann Goodman Recital Hall, used for student and faculty recitals and available for rental;
• the new Balcony Lobby, which is now the Kaufman Center’s largest space for receptions, rehearsals and classes;
• Merkin Concert Hall, where students can hear great performances as well as have the experience of performing themselves; and
• Birnbaum Music Library, where parents and students will find an extensive collection of Israeli music in scores and on tape, in addition to other circulating musical material selected to serve students’ needs.

Our recent renovations include:

• a flexible educational/event space on the balcony level
• an expanded lobby

Special Music School

The Kaufman Center provides exceptional resources for the Special Music School, including numerous instrumental, dance and art studios, classrooms and the Birnbaum Music Library.

Special Music School students have gym class once per week in another classroom space. There are three play areas: one indoor and two outdoor, including a large rooftop playground.