WELCOME

The purpose of the not-for-profit Aesthetic Realism Foundation is to meet the urgent need for people throughout the world to see each other and reality fairly. Aesthetic Realism, the philosophy founded in 1941 by the American poet and critic, Eli Siegel, is a tremendous education in how to have that fairness.

Located in SoHo, NYC, the Foundation offers an exciting curriculum of classes—see the listing below—and individual consultations by video conference. When public events resume, there will be seminars and vibrant theatrical presentations. Through the principles of Aesthetic Realism, people of all ages understand themselves newly. Read more

Winter 2025 classes via video conference are now in session.

• The Aesthetic Realism Explanation of Poetry
• Anthropology Is about You & Everyone
• The Visual Arts & the Opposites
• The Aesthetic Realism Teaching Method
• The Opposites in Music
• “If It Moves, It Can Move You”: Opposites in the Cinema
• Understanding Marriage!

Want to audit a class? Contact the registrar at 212.777.5055, Mon–Fri, 2–6 PM (ET) or submit this brief form. Be sure to make your request at least 2 days in advance of the class.

More about classes

A Letter for Our Time—& Any Time!

by Bennett Cooperman, Aesthetic Realism Consultant & Actor

I am happy and very moved to write to you about the finest, most needed education I know. The education is Aesthetic Realism, founded in 1941 by the philosopher, critic, and poet Eli Siegel. In it is the understanding that people have thirsted for throughout time, and certainly do now, when there’s so much tumult in the world. As part of that understanding, Aesthetic Realism explains the cause of the cruelties in the world today—including ethnic prejudice and war—and authentically shows how these can end…. Read more

Terrain Gallery

SURFACE TO BEGIN WITH —
Silkscreens of the 1960s
Steve Poleskie & the Artists of Chiron Press

Gallery Open Wed, Fri, Sat 1-5 PM, through April 19, 2025
Click here for more information