Modernism Week
{{Short description|Mid-century architecture and design event in Palm Springs, California, United States}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Modernism Week
| image = Modernism Week Feb 2022.jpg
| caption = Modernism Week in February 2022
| location = Palm Springs, California
| founders =
| attendance =
| capacity =
| website = http://www.modernismweek.com/
}}
Modernism Week is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Palm Springs, California that provides public education programming fostering knowledge and appreciation of modern architecture, the mid-century modern architecture and design movement, the Palm Springs School of Architecture, as well as contemporary considerations surrounding historic preservation, cultural heritage, adaptive reuse, and sustainable architecture.{{cite news|title=Modernism Week Attendance Increases by 30% in Thirteenth Year|url=https://www.dcnnews.com/modernism-week-attendance-increases-by-30-in-thirteenth-year/|access-date=17 April 2018|publisher=Desert Charities News|date=8 March 2018}} Modernism Week provides annual scholarships to local students pursuing college educations in the fields of architecture and design and supports local and state organizations' efforts to preserve and promote the region's modern architecture.{{cite news|title=Modernism Week Helps Local Community Organizations Raise Funds|url=https://desertcharities.com/article/modernism-week-helps-local-community-organizations-raise-funds.html|access-date=17 April 2018|publisher=Desert Charities News|date=31 May 2017}} The organization is centered in the Coachella Valley, which is home to a significant collection of extant residential and commercial buildings designed in the mid-century modern vernacular.{{cite news|last1=Brown|first1=Patricia Leigh|title=In Mecca of Modernism, a New Pack of Devotees|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/26/us/palm-springs-modern-architecture-tours.html|access-date=15 April 2018|work=The New York Times|date=25 February 2015}}
Description
The primary event for the organization is an annual, eleven-day, region-wide advocacy and educational festival called "Modernism Week" which is held each February. Events are produced by Modernism Week and partner organizations and include symposia, films, lectures, tours, and a variety of opportunities to access architecturally significant buildings not otherwise available to the public.{{cite news|last1=Boone|first1=Lisa|title=What you Don't Want to Miss at Modernism Week 2018|url=http://www.latimes.com/home/la-hm-modernism-week-2018-story.html|access-date=16 April 2018|work=Los Angeles Times|date=16 January 2018}} Educational programs explore the mid-century modern era as it applies to architecture, design, landscape, preservation, and culture. In addition to the primary event held each February, Modernism Week offers Modernism Week-October (previously called the "Fall Preview"), a four-day event held each October.{{cite news|title=Modernism Week October 2022|url=https://www.docomomo-us.org/event/modernism-week-october-2022|access-date=27 February 2023|work=Docomomo US|date=17 September 2022}} This "mini-Modernism Week" was developed to provide additional educational opportunities to seasonal visitors.{{cite news|title=Modernism Week Fall Preview adds Fourth Day|url=https://www.palmspringslife.com/modernism-week-fall-preview-adds-fourth-day/|access-date=17 April 2018|publisher=Palm Springs Life|date=2 August 2017}}
History
Modernism Week began in 2006 as an adjunct to two existing programs exploring mid-century architecture and design: the Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale and the annual Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture & Design Council Symposium.{{cite news|last1=Arkin|first1=Michael|title=How Modernism Week Started in Palm Springs: An Oral History|url=https://www.palmspringslife.com/how-modernism-week-started-in-palm-springs-an-oral-history/|access-date=21 May 2024|publisher=Palm Springs Life|date=6 October 2023}}{{cite news|last1=Kremer|first1=Lydia|title=Modernism Week's Beginnings Forged by Creative Thinkers|url=https://www.palmspringslife.com/modernism-weeks-beginnings-forged-by-creative-thinkers/|access-date=16 April 2018|publisher=Palm Springs Life|date=20 December 2015}} The National Trust for Historic Preservation named Palm Springs, California to its 2006 list of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations, an annual list highlighting cultural tourism destinations for architecture.{{cite news|title=National Trust Promotes Heritage Tourism with Annual List of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations|url=http://www.itravelmag.com/travel-articles/national-trust-americas-distinctive-destinations-3-06/|access-date=16 April 2018|agency=PR Newswire|publisher=itravel Magazine|date=1 March 2006}} In 2009, Palm Springs was included on the List of Preserve America Communities and was welcomed to the program in a letter by then-First Lady Michelle Obama.{{cite news|title=Preserve America Communities|url=http://www.preserveamerica.gov/PAcommunities.html|access-date=15 April 2018|agency=Preserve America|publisher=preserveamerica.gov|date=7 October 2009}} In 2009, Modernism Week became a California 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Andrea|title=Check Out Incredible 1950s and '60s Architecture in Palm Springs During Modernism Week|url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/2017/02/03/palm-springs-modernism-week/|access-date=15 April 2018|publisher=Lonely Planet|date=3 February 2017}} In 2015, a physical headquarters for the event was launched enabling visitors to gather at a central location throughout the festival. Dubbed, CAMP (Community And Meeting Place), this festival hub provides services and programs throughout the festival including serving as a depot for bus tours, educational programming, ticket sales, demonstrations, social events, and the distribution of general information.{{cite news|last1=Kremer|first1=Lydia|title=Modernism Week Makes CAMP with New Event Headquarters|url=https://www.palmspringslife.com/modernism-week-makes-camp-with-new-event-headquarters/|access-date=12 March 2019|publisher=Palm Springs Life|date=23 January 2015}}
Attendance
From 2012 to 2018, annual attendance increased from 12,000 to 125,000. The number of programmed events in 2018 was 350 with attendees representing the 50 United States and 19 countries.{{cite news|last1=Barkas|first1=Sherry|title=Modernism Week Attendance Climbs 30%; Brings Estimated $47.25 in Revenue|url=https://www.desertsun.com/story/money/business/tourism/2018/03/08/palm-springs-modernism-week-attendance-up-30-percent/408806002/|access-date=15 April 2018|publisher=The Desert Sun|date=8 March 2018}}{{cite news|last1=Reyes|first1=Jesus|title=Modernism Week 2018 sees Rising Attendance, revenue for the Coachella Valley|url=http://www.kesq.com/news/modernism-week-2018-sees-rising-attendance-revenue-for-the-coachella-valley/713721074|access-date=16 April 2018|publisher=The Desert Sun|date=9 March 2018}}
In 2019, attendance increased 20% over 2018 to an estimated 152,000 participating in over 370 events resulting in an estimated economic impact for the Coachella Valley of $57 million. International visitors from 25 countries participated alongside attendees from all 50 United States. California residents accounted for the majority of attendees (54 percent) representing 445 of 482 cities in California.{{cite news|title=Modernism Week 2019 Attracts 150,000+|url=https://www.palmspringslife.com/modernism-week-2019-attendance/|access-date=11 March 2019|publisher=Palm Springs Life|date=8 March 2019}}{{cite news|title=Modernism Week Added Almost $60 million to the Desert Economy This Year|url=https://mynewsla.com/business/2019/03/08/modernism-week-added-almost-60-million-to-the-desert-economy-this-year/|access-date=11 March 2019|publisher=MyNewsLa.com|date=8 March 2019}}{{cite news|title=Modernism Week Added Nearly $60 Million to the Local Economy this Year|url=https://www.kesq.com/news/modernism-week-added-nearly-60-million-to-the-local-economy-this-year/1054249662|access-date=11 March 2019|publisher=KESQ News|date=8 March 2019}}
In February 2020, attendance was estimated at 162,000 across 375 events resulting in an estimated economic impact of $61 million.{{cite news|title=One for the Record Books|url=https://www.palmspringslife.com/modernism-week-2020-palm-springs/|access-date=2 December 2020|publisher=Palm Springs Life|date=21 April 2020}} Attendees represented all 50 United States and 25 countries.{{cite news|title=One for the Record Books|url=https://www.palmspringslife.com/modernism-week-2020-palm-springs/|access-date=2 December 2020|publisher=Palm Springs Life|date=21 April 2020}}
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic 2021 and 2022 programming shifted to virtual and later, reduced in-person programming achieving a local economic impact of $50 million in 2022 as state restrictions associated with the pandemic lifted.{{cite news|last1=Martinez|first1=Taylor|title=Modernism Week Fall Preview To Be Held Virtually Starting Thursday|url=https://nbcpalmsprings.com/2020/10/13/modernism-week-fall-preview-to-be-held-virtually-starting-thursday/|access-date=24 May 2021|publisher=NBC Palm Springs|date=13 October 2020}}{{cite news|last1=Throwpay|first1=Caitlin|title=Modernism Week Fall Preview Online Experience includes virtual home tours and a live happy hour|url=https://kesq.com/news/2020/10/14/modernism-week-fall-preview-online-experience-includes-virtual-home-tours-and-a-live-happy-hour/|access-date=24 May 2021|publisher=KESQ News|date=14 October 2020}}{{cite news|last1=Gunts|first1=Edward|title=Adjusting for COVID, Palm Springs Modernism Week scales back and shifts to April|url=https://www.archpaper.com/2021/04/adjusting-for-covid-palm-springs-modernism-week-scales-back-and-shifts-to-april/|access-date=24 May 2021|publisher=The Architect's Newspaper|date=2 April 2021}}{{cite news|title=Modernism Week Moves Dates to April 2021|url=https://www.palmspringslife.com/modernism-2021/|access-date=24 May 2021|publisher=Palm Springs Life|date=30 November 2020}}{{cite news|last1=Cutchin|first1=James|title=Palm Springs airport April travel up 20x from pandemic low|url=https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2021/05/20/palm-springs-airport-april-travel-up-20-x-pandemic-low/5188080001//|access-date=24 May 2021|publisher=The Desert Sun|date=21 May 2021}}{{cite news|title=Modernism Week Announces Attendance, Economic Impact Of Festival|url=https://patch.com/california/palmdesert/modernism-week-announces-attendance-economic-impact-festival|access-date=24 May 2021|publisher=Patch|date=10 May 2021}}{{cite news|title=Modernism Week 2022 attracts nearly 100,000 visitors|url=https://www.palmspringslife.com/modernism-week-2022-recap/|access-date=12 April 2023|publisher=Palm Springs Life|date=23 March 2022}}
In 2023, the 11-day February festival attracted an estimated 105,477 attendees who participated in more than 350 events generating a local economic impact of $55 million. Attendees represented all 50 states and 25 countries.{{cite news|title=Modernism Week reports record attendance and community economic impact |url=https://pstribune.com/2023/03/24/modernism-week-reports-record-attendance-and-community-economic-impact/|access-date=12 April 2023|publisher=Palm Springs Tribune|date=24 March 2023}}{{cite news|title=Modernism Week organizers say 11-day February event had record attendance|url=https://thepalmspringspost.com/modernism-week-organizers-say-11-day-february-event-had-record-attendance/|access-date=12 April 2023|publisher=The Palm Springs Post|date=23 March 2023}}
In February 2024, the 11-day festival attracted more than 130,000 attendees representing all fifty US states and twenty-four countries including Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Germany, and France. Attendees came from 440 of 482 cities in California, or 91% of all California cities. The festival generated an estimated economic impact of $68 million for Coachella Valley-area hotels, shops, restaurants, and other businesses.{{cite news|title=Modernism Week Reports Increased Attendance and Community Economic Impact |url=https://ukenreport.com/modernism-week-reports-increased-attendance/|access-date=21 May 2024|work=Uken Report|date=19 March 2024}}
Notable speakers
- Todd Oldham in 2015 {{cite news|title=Todd Time|url=https://www.palmspringslife.com/todd-time/|access-date=19 November 2018|publisher=Palm Springs Life|date=30 January 2015}} and 2020 {{cite news|title=Man of Color|url=https://www.palmspringslife.com/alexander-girard-2/|access-date=24 February 2020|publisher=Palm Springs Life|date=19 December 2019}} and 2025 {{cite news|title=Modernism Week Announces February 2025 schedule|url=https://pstribune.com/2024/10/29/modernism-week-announces-february-2025-schedule/|access-date=4 June 2025|publisher=Palm Springs Tribune|date=24 October 2025}}
- Martyn Lawrence Bullard in 2018 {{cite news|title=Palm Springs: A Modernist Paradise|url=https://www.latimes.com/home/la-hm-modernist-paradise-book-20180210-story.html|access-date=19 November 2018|work=Los Angeles Times|date=9 February 2018}}
- Moshe Safdie in 2019 {{cite news|title=Moshe Safdie says ideas behind Habitat '67 have come full circle|url=https://www.desertsun.com/story/money/real-estate/2019/02/15/moshe-safdie-says-ideas-behind-habitat-67-have-come-full-circle/2864259002/|access-date=19 February 2019|publisher=Desert Sun|date=15 February 2019}}{{cite news|title=Moshe Safdie to give keynote lecture at 2019 Modernism Week|url=https://archpaper.com/2019/01/moshe-safdie-keynote-lecture-2019-modernism-week/|access-date=19 February 2019|publisher=The Architect's Newspaper|date=2 January 2019}}{{cite news|title=How Palm Springs Modernism Week Became an Architecture and Design Juggernaut|url=https://www.metropolismag.com/architecture/palm-springs-modernism-week-interview-chris-mobley/|access-date=12 March 2019|publisher=Metropolis Magazine|date=22 February 2019}}
- Daniel Libeskind in 2020 {{cite news|title=Daniel Libeskind is at the 'Edge of Order'|url=https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/design-and-architecture/daniel-libeskind-at-the-edge-of-order-sunset-magazine-and-sound-baths/daniel-libeskind-is-at-the-edge-of-order|access-date=19 February 2020|publisher=KCRW|date=18 February 2020}}{{cite news|title=Palm Springs Modernism Week Announces 2020 Festival Schedule |url=https://thebluntpost.com/palm-springs-modernism-week-announces-2020-festival-schedule/|access-date=19 February 2019|publisher=The Blunt Post|date=2 January 2020}}
- Barbara Bestor in 2022 {{cite news|title=Don't Miss These 13 Events At Modernism Week in Palm Springs|url=https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2022-02-16/modernism-week-2022-palm-springs|access-date=26 March 2024|work=The Los Angeles Times|date=16 February 2022}}{{cite news|title=Back To The Future|url=https://www.palmspringslife.com/modernism-week-palm-springs-2022/|access-date=26 March 2024|publisher=Palm Springs Life Magazine|date=20 January 2022}}
- Jeanne Gang in 2022 {{cite news|title=Jeanne Gang, MAD Architects, Rod Serling, and more "headline" Palm Springs' 2022 Modernism Week|url=https://www.archpaper.com/2021/11/palm-springs-2022-modernism-week/|access-date=21 February 2022|publisher=The Architect's Newspaper|date=22 November 2021}}
- Thom Mayne in 2023 {{cite news|title=Modernism Week 2023|url=https://www.palmspringslife.com/events/modernism-week-2023/|access-date=1 November 2022|publisher=Palm Springs Life Magazine|date=1 November 2022}}
- Barry Bergdoll in 2024 {{cite news|title=Modernism Week Announces February 2024 Schedule|url=https://pstribune.com/2023/10/23/modernism-week-announces-february-2024-schedule/|access-date=27 February 2024|publisher=Palm Springs Tribune|date=23 October 2023}}{{cite news|title=Modernism Week Goes Disco for Opening Night|url=https://www.desertsun.com/story/life/entertainment/people/2024/03/08/modernism-week-goes-disco-for-annual-opening-night-palm-springs-party/72821397007//|access-date=8 March 2024|publisher=The Desert Sun|date=8 March 2024}}
- Dr. Raymond Neutra in 2025 {{cite web|title=Modernism Week in Palm Springs Offers Wide Range of Educational Programs and Films|url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/modernism-week-in-palm-springs-offers-wide-range-of-educational-programs-and-films-302330996.html|website=www.prweb.com/|access-date=17 December 2024}}
Notable Palm Springs-region architects, designers, and developers of the era
{{Div col}}
- Barry Berkus
- Buff, Smith and Hensman
- Richard Lee Dorman
- Richard Neutra
- John Lautner
- Donald Wexler
- Albert Frey
- William Krisel
- Paul Trousdale
- William Francis Cody
- John Porter Clark
- Howard Lapham
- Raymond Loewy
- Wallace Neff
- Alexander Construction Company
- E. Stewart Williams
- Lloyd Wright
- A. Quincy Jones
- William Haines
- Arthur Elrod
- Rudolph Schindler
- Paul Revere Williams
- Hugh M. Kaptur
- John Carl Warnecke
- Erle Webster and Adrian Wilson{{cite web|title=California Art & Architecture: Ship of the Desert Palm Springs|url=http://jetsetmodernist.tumblr.com/post/1390150290/ship-of-the-desert-palm-springs-ca|website=jetsetmodernist.tumblr.com|access-date=16 April 2018}}{{cite book|last1=Baker|first1=Christopher|title=Explorer's Guide: Palm Springs & Desert Resorts: A Great Destination|date=2008|publisher=The Countryman Press|location=New York, NY|isbn=978-1-58157-048-9|page=91}}
- Walter S. White
- John Elgin Woolf
- William Pereira
- Victor Gruen
- Craig Ellwood
{{Div col end}}
Gallery
File:Mid-century modern home built by the Alexander Construction Company, Palm Springs, California LCCN2010630222.tif|Mid-century modern home built by the Alexander Construction Company, Palm Springs, California
File:Coachella Valley Savings No. 2.jpg|Coachella Valley Savings, Palm Springs, 1960 by E. Stewart Williams
File:Frank Sinatra's Twin Palms Estate, a spectacular example of mid-century architecture in the heart of Palm Springs, California LCCN2013635061.tif|Frank Sinatra's Twin Palms Estate, Palm Springs, 1947 by E. Stewart Williams
File:Elvis Presley honeymoon house, Palm Springs, California LCCN2010630384.tif|Interior of Elvis Presley honeymoon house, Palm Springs
File:Palm Springs Visitor Center Sideview-(revised)2.jpg|Albert Frey's Tramway Gas Station, 1965, now the Palm Springs Visitor Center
File:2019 City Hall Palm Springs 2240.jpg|Palm Springs City Hall, 1952 by Albert Frey
File:Built in 1959 for City National Bank, the Bank of America Building became a favorite stop on modern-architecture tours Palm Springs, California LCCN2013631314.tif|Palm Springs mid-century bank building, 1959, by Rudi Baumfeld
External links
{{Commons category|Modernism Week}}
- [http://www.modernismweek.com/ Official website]