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  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2002
PR-062-02
www.nyc.gov


MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES
REDISTRIBUTION OF $1 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDS
TO NON-PROFIT CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced the redistribution of $1 million in grant funds, initially earmarked for Broadway's commercial theaters after September 11th, to non-profit cultural organizations to promote the performing arts and arts education. Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin and League of American Theaters and Producers President Jed Bernstein, as well as representatives of the recipient organizations, joined Mayor Bloomberg for the announcement at the Flea Theater in Tribeca.

"Non-profit arts organizations are a vital component of the City's cultural life and represent the diversity of its vibrant artistic community," Mayor Bloomberg said. "We are happy to redirect these funds to non-profit cultural institutions that have been suffering from the effects of the weakened economy. The three service organizations that are evaluating the needs of non-profit arts groups are superbly executing their task and ensuring that these grants are put to good use, and I am confident that the funds being directed to the four arts education leaders will help revitalize their efforts to promote culture in the City."

"The Department of Cultural Affairs has been both heartened by the civic responsibility the arts community in New York City has assumed over the last six months, and concerned about the ongoing impact of September 11th on their ability to do what they do best," Commissioner Levin said. "The leadership of the Mellon Foundation and others, Carnegie, Warhol and Pollack-Krasner among them, in recognizing the nonprofit response as well as its needs, has been extraordinary. We are pleased that these additional funds can be directed to relief efforts for nonprofit arts organizations and for arts in education programs, grateful to be able to help, and thankful to the League and the Mayor."

"We look to this season with guarded optimism, as tourism in the city is still down, historically representing 50% or more of our audience," Jed Bernstein said. "We are pleased with Broadway's success in keeping so many long running productions playing and are grateful to the City for their support. We could not have come through this unpredictable time without their support and additional support by the State, our corporate partners and the people of New York. We are pleased to be able to participate in the reallocation of the funds to other deserving arts organizations."

"The impact of September 11th is being felt in complex and unpredictable ways by the nonprofit cultural organizations that do so much for this city," said Virginia Louloudes, Executive Director of the Alliance of Resident Theaters/New York. "To be able to add these City funds to the private philanthropic support being provided to groups that are still in need of relief is terrific."

"One of the first and most lasting effects of September 11th has been diminished student participation in arts activities," said Laurie Tisch Sussman, President of the Board of the Center for Arts Education. "The four organizations receiving this funding today work closely with schools - parents, teachers and students - to assure that the arts are a meaningful part of every student's education and this money is a great investment in those efforts."

Following the 65% decline in gross ticket sales during the first week after the attacks on the World Trade Center, the City of New York purchased $2.5 million in tickets to provide for the Twin Towers Fund and support NYC & Company's Spend Your Regards to Broadway program. Due to the subsequent rebound in Broadway ticket sales, the Broadway community did not spend the entire $2.5 million, allowing for today's redistribution of funds to benefit non-profit cultural organizations still suffering from the devastating effects of the September 11 attacks.

Three non-profit service organizations - the Alliance of Resident Theaters/New York, a membership organization of predominately New York City-based non-profit theaters, the American Music Center, which supports music organizations, performers, and composers, and the New York Foundation for the Arts, which funds and services small organizations and individual artists working in the visual, performing, and literary arts - will each receive a grant of $200,000 to re-grant to arts groups and artists in need. These three organizations are already in the process of distributing grants to their constituencies with funds generously provided by the Mellon Foundation as part of its $50 million relief initiative. City funds will also be distributed during this process.

Four additional organizations - ArtsConnection, the Center for Arts Education, Studio in a School, and Young Audiences/New York - will each receive $100,000 for arts programs that reach public school students. ArtsConnection provides comprehensive programs in all art forms in public schools throughout the City; the Center for Arts Education is a public-private partnership initiated by the Annenberg Foundation and committed to restoring and sustaining arts education in New York City's public schools; Studio in a School engages visual artists with teachers and students to foster creativity and self-expression; and Young Audiences partners with public schools to help students learn, create and participate in the arts.

The Flea Theater is a nonprofit theater directly affected by the September 11th attacks. The theater is dedicated to producing new theater works, including The Guys, a play about a fire captain who lost eight firefighters during the attack and the journalist who helps him write their eulogies. The Flea offers both world premieres and revivals, as well as providing a music and dance program.

 

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