IN THE NEWS CITY NONPROFIT DESK WITH EMPHASIS ON ARTS GROUPS TO OPEN
The City has announced plans to open a "not-for-profit" desk at the New York City Economic Redevelopment Corporation. Its objectives will be to assist nonprofit groups, including cultural organizations, by providing information about real estate and financing opportunities and to help organizations navigate City government.

EXECUTIVE BUDGET TO BE PUBLISHED MAY 4
The next step in the City's budget process is the publication of the Executive Budget by Mayor Bloomberg, expected on May 4. Following the budget publication there will be a series of public hearings, followed by the adoption of the final budget by the City Council in June.

STATE BUDGET PASSED WITH NYSCA INCREASE OF $7.1 MILLION
The New York State budget for FY 2007 was passed by the Legislature on March 31st, including a proposed increase in New York State Council on the Arts budget of $7.1 million, a $4.5 million increase from Governor Pataki's proposed budget in January.

FELIX GONZALEZ-TORRES TO REPRESENT USA AT VENICE BIENNALE
The State Department announced April 4 that Felix Gonzalez-Torres would represent the United States at the 2007 Venice Biennale. Mr. Gonzalez-Torres was born in Cuba and was raised in Puerto Rico, but lived and worked in New York City until his death from AIDS in 1996 at age 38. To view examples of Mr. Gonzalez-Torres' work in the Alliance's Estate Project for Artists with AIDS Virtual Collection, click here.

JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER LAUNCHES JAZZ TRAIL
Jazz at Lincoln Center, along with jazz clubs across New York City, celebrates April as National Jazz Appreciation Month by launching a "Jazz Trail"--live jazz events at clubs this month. To view click here, and for more information on Jazz at Lincoln Center go to www.jalc.org.

SECOND ALLIANCE PRIZE TO BE AWARDED TO DIANE COFFEY
The second annual Alliance for the Arts prize will be awarded to Diane Mulcahy Coffey at the Spring Party on May 23. Dignitaries, colleagues and friends--including Mayor Michael Bloomberg--will gather at the Rainbow Room for this fun and deserved tribute to Diane, one of the most steadfast supporters of the arts in New York City.

NEWS AT THE ALLIANCE NINE CULTURAL TOURISM GRANTS AWARDED
The Arts and Business Council of New York, with funding from the New York State Council on the Arts, has awarded nine grants statewide through its Cultural Tourism Initiative. Now in its seventh year, the initiative provides funding to arts organizations that partner with local tourism agencies around efforts to attract new visitors to, and stimulate economic growth in, their local communities. This year's recipients are partnership projects led by: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Thomas Cole National Historic Site, Council on the Arts & Humanities for Staten Island, Aaron Davis Hall, the Farmers' Museum, Roxbury Arts Group, Second Stage Theatre, St. Lawrence County Historical Association, and the Alliance for the Arts. The Alliance has been granted $20,000 towards creating a Japanese language guide to New York City and the upstate areas around Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Rochester, and Cooperstown. To find out more about the Initiative, visit the Arts & Business Council Web site by clicking here.

PEOPLE
Leslie Koch has been appointed president of the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation, effective May 1. Ms. Koch was formerly the chief executive officer of the Fund for Public Schools.

Pat Mitchell is the new president and chief executive of the Museum of Television & Radio. Ms. Mitchell was formerly the president and chief executive at the Public Broadcasting System.

Kirk Peterson is the new artistic director of American Ballet Theatre Studio Company, effective June 1, 2006. Mr. Peterson was previously the resident choreographer of the Cincinnati Ballet.

CALENDAR POEM IN YOUR POCKET DAY APRIL 28
In honor of National Poetry Month, The Mayor's Office, the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Department of Education, the City University of New York (CUNY) and The New York Times are collaborating for the fourth annual "Poem in Your Pocket Day" April 28. NYC Residents are encouraged to carry a poem of their choice in their pocket, and read it to others throughout the day. Celebrate Poem in Your Pocket Day at an open poetry reading at Bryant Park "Reading Room," Friday, April 28, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring a favorite poem to Bryant Park, share your poem with other poetry fans and receive a free book of poetry from the Academy of American Poets. To find out more, click here.

MORGAN LIBRARY TO REOPEN APRIL 29
The Morgan Library & Museum will reopen to the public on April 29. Italian architect Renzo Piano has designed a major expansion of the museum, with a new entrance on Madison Avenue. For more information visit www.themorgan.org.