Days after September 11th, looking out of his loft window on to the gaping hole at ground zero, architect Richard Nash Gould spoke with The Municipal Art Society Chairman, Philip Howard and President, Kent Barwick about the need to replace the void of the Twin Towers with light. Taken with the idea, The Municipal Art Society immediately put together a citizens committee. Since 1893, the MAS has advocated for excellence in urban design and planning, contemporary architecture, historic preservation and public art.

The Municipal Art Society is a private, non-profit membership organization whose mission is to promote a more livable city. Since 1893,the Society has worked to enrich the physical design and culture of New York City. The MAS advocates for excellence in urban design and planning, contemporary architecture, historic preservation and public art. It is committed to ensuring that New York City maintains the dynamism of a world-class city while preserving the character of its eclectic neighborhoods. The Society is the progenitor of many civic and preservation organizations, such as the City Planning Commission, the Art Commission, the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the Landmarks Conservancy and the Historic Districts Council, and is the inspiration for like-minded groups in other cities across the nation. Grand Central Terminal, Radio City Music Hall, historic Greenwich Village, countless monuments and murals in public places and the Landmarks Law itself -- all
exist and/or have been protected because of the Municipal Art Society. www.mas.org/.

Due to its unrivaled commitment to structural integrity of New York City and years of collaborations with the City and other preservation groups, the Municipal Art Society is well equipped to help produce Tribute in Light.