Timely Culture Reporting and Arts Industry News

Grants Nurture Arts Spaces and Housing
The New York Times - April 4, 2010
By Stephanie Strom

As part of an effort to increase the impact of its giving, the Ford Foundation is to announce a plan on Monday to dedicate $100 million to the development of arts spaces nationwide over the next decade. The plan is by far the largest commitment the foundation has ever made to the construction, maintenance and enhancement of arts facilities.

The plan, called the Supporting Diverse Art Spaces Initiative, is one of several large financing projects that have resulted from a strategic overhaul of the foundation's operations since its president, Luis A. Ubiñas, took over in 2008. For the full article, click here

Meet Me at the Sondheim
The Wall Street Journal - April 3, 2010
By Terry Teachout

The composer gets a very rare 80th birthday present

Stephen Sondheim, who turned 80 last week, has been given an unusually fancy birthday present: Henry Miller's Theatre, the 92-year-old Broadway house that was taken over last year by the Roundabout Theatre Company, will be renamed after the songwriting genius who gave us "A Little Night Music" and "Sweeney Todd." When I heard the news, my first reaction was to say that I couldn't think of anyone as deserving of the honor. I was wrong. For the full article, click here

Bill T. Jones, Dance Theater Workshop to Merge
Crain's New York Business - April 2, 2010
By Miriam Kreinin Souccar

Two venerable New York dance institutions will become one as funding for arts groups dries up.

A major merger in the New York dance world is in the works.

The 25-year-old Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company is in final negotiations to merge with Dance Theater Workshop. The two groups will combine their boards and staff into one entity with a new name and mission, though the final details are still being worked out. For the full article, click here

Trustees Find Board Seats Are Still Luxury Items
The New York Times - April 2, 2010
By Robin Pogrebin

Like Prada handbags and Hermès scarves, a spot on one of New York City's most prestigious cultural boards never goes on sale, even in a recession.

Looking to join the power set at the Metropolitan Museum of Art? Be ready with a check for as much as $10 million. The price of admission can reach that high at the Museum of Modern Art, and remains roughly $5 million at the New York Public Library, according to people involved in the process. For the full article, click here