THE ARTS AND REBUILDING DOWNTOWN

It is remarkable that in the massive and much-discussed effort to rebuild downtown New York, two of the most prominent and enduring ideas----the memorial and a space for artistic expression--are cultural.

The centerpiece of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation's efforts to coordinate the revitalization of Lower Manhattan is the construction of a memorial on the site. Although the LMDC will not announce the winning design until later this year, it is already clear that the memorial, in whatever form it takes, will galvanize the attention of the world and influence the way we remember this great tragedy.

Perhaps the most durable assumption in the debates about the site has been that space should be reserved for cultural pursuits. Among the LMDC's priorities is to rebuild the area as a "multi-use magnet for the arts." The agency is now accepting proposals from cultural groups interested in moving to the site (see below). Daniel Libeskind's working master plan contemplates space for the performing arts and for a museum. The museum's mission, as described by the LMDC, is to "relate the events of 9/11 into historical context."

So much of ground zero's future hangs in the balance. Debates will doubtlessly continue for some time, but culture is already a part of the blueprint. The memorial will focus our memories, and the new cultural uses will become part of the infrastructure of a re-envisioned downtown and a richer, fuller New York.

Randall Bourscheidt
President

INVITATION TO CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS

A reminder that the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation is currently seeking proposals from cultural organizations interested in relocating or establishing programs on the World Trade Center site. Submissions are due by September 15, 2003. More information can be found at www.renewnyc.com.

ROBERT F. WAGNER, JR. FELLOWSHIP

In 2002, the Alliance inaugurated the Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Fellowship for Public Policy and the Arts. Since then, two students have served as the Wagner Fellow. The program's objective is to train cultural policy leaders who reflect the diversity of New York City. Fellows acquire first-hand experience researching and informing public policy for the cultural community. Named in memory of Robert F. Wagner, Jr., a great city leader and an Alliance board member for many years, the Fellow is a liaison between the Alliance and its sister cultural organizations and an advocate to policymakers. The Fellow works closely with the Alliance's research team to deliver the Alliance's advocacy message--promoting the health of arts organizations and facilitating common efforts in areas such as expanding access, arts education and career development.

On Monday, November 10, 2003, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. the Alliance will host an event to support the Wagner Fellowship.

The party will be at Christie's in Rockefeller Center, and is underwritten by Microsoft and Christie's. Tickets are $100 per person and may be purchased directly from the Alliance.

NEW YORK FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS ARTISTS' FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

The deadline for NYFA's Artists' Fellowship Program is October 1, 2003. Grants are available in Architecture, Choreography, Fiction Literature, Music Composition, Painting, Photography, Playwriting/Screenwriting and Video. Guidelines and Applications can be found at www.nyfa.org/afp

EVENTS CLEARINGHOUSE MERGES WITH NEW YORK MASTERPLANNER

The Alliance announces the merger of its Events Clearinghouse Calendar with New York Masterplanner, the leading source of information about special events in the nonprofit world.

PEOPLE

Brett Littman becomes Deputy Director of Finance and Administration at the PS 1 Contemporary Art Center, leaving Dieu Donne Papermill, where he was Executive Director, effective September 5.

Timothy J. McClimon becomes Executive Director of Second Stage Theater, leaving the AT&T Foundation, effective September 1.

Nancy Morgan becomes Deputy Director of the Third Street Music School Settlement, effective mid-August, leaving Vivendi Universal where she was Senior Program Officer.

Anne Little Poulet becomes Director of the Frick Collection, leaving the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where she was curator emerita, effective in October.

Adam D. Weinberg becomes Director of the Whitney Museum of American Art, effective this fall, leaving the Addison Gallery of American Art at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass.