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

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

Hilary Knight poster on display at LPA

Fully tax-deductible

  • Personalized donor membership card
  • A year’s subscription to LPA’s quarterly e-newsletter
  • 10% discount at the Library Shop, in-store and online
  • 10% discount at the Schomburg Shop, in-store and online
  • Opportunity to reserve seats at select LIVE from NYPL programs
  • 20% discount at Amy's Bread Café at Library locations

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

All except $63 is tax-deductible

​All Friends benefits, plus:

  • ​Invitations to attend exhibition openings at LPA
  • An invitation for two to the Library's annual Holiday Open House—the most festive event of the year
  • Invitation for two to the annual Book Swap, where members exchange favorite books

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

All except $132 is tax-deductible

All Designers Circle benefits, plus:

  • Invitation for you and a guest to attend members-only VIP receptions at LPA
  • Additional two guests to the Library's annual Holiday Open House, an invitation for a total of four
  • Invitation for two to the annual Friends Lecture Luncheon, featuring today's most exciting writers and thinkers
  • Reserved seating for two at select LPA film screenings

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 LPA's collections
  • Reserved seating for two at select LPA musical theater performances
  • Early access to registration for select public programs

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, Theater, or Recorded Sound Divisions
  • Acknowledgment of your support in the 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, an evening with one of LPA's prominent curators and exclusive access to our celebrated collections

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

All except $276 is tax-deductible

All Benefactors Circle benefits, plus:

  • Invitation to the annual Director’s Luncheon, featuring guest performing artists

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

All except $301 is tax-deductible

All Stars Circle benefits, plus:

  • Invitation to the exclusive Library Leadership Luncheon with Library President Tony Marx and special guests

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.