AMERICAN EXPRESS ANNOUNCES $1.3 MILLION COMMITMENT TO MAJOR PERFORMING ARTS INSTITUTIONS: 12 GRANTS IN 12 CITIES
$11 million committed to 58 performing arts institutions over the last 10 years
NEW YORK, August 01, 2006 -- Demonstrating its ongoing commitment to preserving and enriching the performing arts, American Express Company today announced $1.3 million in grants to be awarded to 12 institutions nationwide to help energize, educate and entice new audiences. The 12 institutions were chosen through a highly competitive selection process.
“American Express has been a long time supporter of culture and the arts because of the powerful role they play in the community. Through music and the performing arts, creativity prospers, diversity is celebrated, and local businesses and economies are supported,” said Timothy J. McClimon, president of the American Express Foundation.
“The grants will help these performing arts institutions to attract new and diverse audiences, break down barriers to public participation in the arts, and, in some cases, enhance their physical or online presence to make them more attractive and accessible.”
The American Express Performing Arts Fund was created in 1997 to assist performing arts institutions across the United States to attract broader audiences. Since then, American Express has given almost $11 million in 107 grants to 58 performing arts institutions throughout the country through this initiative.
The 12 recipients of the 2006 Performing Arts Fund grants are:
- Berkeley Repertory Theatre (Berkeley, CA),
- Boston Lyric Opera (Boston, MA)
- Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Chicago, IL)
- The Dallas Opera (Dallas, TX)
- Guthrie Theater (Minneapolis, MN)
- New York City Opera (New York, NY)
- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation
(New Orleans, LA) - North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center (Charlotte, NC)
- Pennsylvania Ballet (Philadelphia, PA)
- Portland Center Stage (Portland, OR)
- San Francisco Opera (San Francisco, CA)
- Shakespeare Theatre Company (Washington DC)
Following the mission of the Performing Arts Fund, this year's grant recipients will use the awards from American Express to increase linkages with existing audiences as well as to attract new and diverse audiences to the arts.
About American Express
American Express Philanthropy makes grants in three major program areas: Cultural Heritage, Economic Independence and Community Service. In 2005, contributions totaled more than $31 million. Grants, made on behalf of the American Express family of companies, enrich the lives of American Express customers, their families and their communities.
American Express Company (www.americanexpress.com) is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850.
