IN THE NEWS

CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS RANK BIG AMONG AREA NONPROFITS

Crain's reported six cultural organizations among the New York area's 25 largest nonprofits, ranked by their 2006 total operating budgets.

Metropolitan Opera Association $209.6 million
Metropolitan Museum of Art $183.6 million
Wildlife Conservation Society $175.4 million
Educational Broadcasting Corporation $171.3 million
Museum of Modern Art $144.3 million
American Museum of Natural History $134.5 million

For more information, see Crain's, VOL. XXII, NO. 51, December 18, 2006, at http://newyorkbusiness.com

MAYOR BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES PROGRAM TO RESTORE PAINTINGS AT CITY HALL

On December 6, 2006, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and CIT Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey M. Peek announced a project to conserve nearly 50 paintings and establish an endowment for the collection's long-term care. The City's collection, curated by the Art Commission, consists of 108 portraits of prominent political, military and social figures. This unique public-private partnership was initiated by the Art Commission in collaboration with the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City to conserve the City's portrait collection on display at City Hall. The program was officially launched by a major gift from CIT Group and the Peek Family Foundation, with additional awards from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Associates of the Art Commission. New Yorkers and visitors interested in viewing the portraits can call 311 or visit http://www.nyc.gov to make a reservation for a free tour. A free tour also departs every Wednesday at noon from The History Channel kiosk located at City Hall Park.

$19 MILLION IN MUSIC GRANTS AWARDED

The New York State Music fund granted $19 million to nonprofit groups from more than 75 towns and cities across the state. This round of grants supports programs that take place in 2007 and feature exemplary contemporary music of all genres, from hip-hop to jazz, folk and world music, and much more. The program, established by the Office of then New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer as part of a legal settlement and administered by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, is an effort to make contemporary music more accessible to diverse audiences and communities.

PEOPLE

Robert Weber Federico has been named executive director of Repertorio Español. Mr. Federico has worked for the company for 34 years.