Several years ago, a former member of the board of trustees was working on getting the Maitland Art Center (MAC) designated as a National Historic Landmark. It has been designated as a site on the National Register of Historic Places and is included in the national Historic American Building Survey (HABS) of the National Park Service (NPS) with 26 measured drawings of the facility currently on file with the NPS and Library of Congress. According to the experts, MAC is two-thirds of the way toward qualification for National Historic Landmark status. However, a change in leadership at the board seems to have ignored
the progress made towards certification and it appears the issue has vanished.
We believe the drive for certification needs to resume post haste.
The complex, designed and built by Jules Andre Smith and the artists in residence, has been lauded as an outstanding example of Florida Fantasy Architecture. HABS has also cited the integration of bas-relief sculpture, murals and buildings that provide a significant contribution to America's architectural heritage. Over the 21 years that Mr. Smith owned the complex, more than 60 artists, many nationally known, have worked and resided there and their work and association have had significant impact on the cultural development of the United States and its predominance in artistic styles post-World War II.
The facility, now over 75 years old, is in need of professional preservation, study and restoration. Several years ago, when certification was being pursued, the center was working with senior Historic American Building Survey personnel and had been offered the opportunity to have a HABS certified historic architectural survey report and nomination document prepared for Landmark Status. The estimated cost of this work which would enable MAC to be eligible for consideration and designation was estimated to be $10,000.
The benefit of Landmark status is that once it is so designated, MAC is eligible for major assistance from the Getty Foundation and various other programs through the National Park Service for the historic preservation of the complex. This opens the doors to matching funds and grants. Current rough estimates for the restoration of the facility is between $3,000,000 to $5,000,000. If we want to preserve this gem, the assistance will only come from attaining a certification of National Historic Landmark. Further information about this certification can be found here.