press room

For Immediate Release

10/30/2006

Contact:
Beth Olsen
Goodman Media International for Americans for the Arts
212.576.2700 ext. 243 or bolsen@goodmanmedia.com


MetLife Foundation and Arts & Business Council of Americans for the Arts present the 2006–2007 National Arts Forum Series

WASHINGTON, DC — October 30, 2006 — Arts & Business Council of Americans for the Arts and MetLife Foundation present the 2006–2007 National Arts Forum Series. Designed to convene members of the arts and business sectors to discuss and explore timely issues facing both communities, the 2006–2007 series will address the issue of the arts and workforce development and will involve approximately 4,000 arts, business, and civic leaders around the country.

This year, 40 forums will be held in the following cities: Atlanta; Boston; Charlotte, NC; Chicago; Denver; Hartford, CT; Houston; Kansas City, MO; Miami; New York City; Oklahoma City, OK; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; Portland, OR; Providence, RI; San Francisco; St. Louis, MO; Tampa Bay, FL; and Washington, DC. Each forum will focus on the theme of corporations improving workforce development through the arts.

“This initiative is designed to focus attention on issues important to arts groups across the country,” said Sibyl Jacobson, president and CEO of MetLife Foundation.

Over the past five years, the forums have established a clear record of achievement in communities across the United States, galvanizing conversations among and collaborations between important arts organizations and influential business leaders.

Each year, the dialogues that take place at the forums revolve, by design, around relevant cultural and economic issues. Past forum topics have included private-sector support of the arts; the impact of 9/11 on arts marketing and philanthropy; and arts-based training programs for business, among others.

The series will launch in New York City on October 30 in celebration of National Arts & Humanities Month. The forum, titled Corporate Culture: Improving Workforce Development through the Arts, will explore ways in which companies use the arts to cultivate, advance, and retain staff talent. Panelists are Kianga M. Ellis, president, Avail Art, L.L.C.; Polly Rua, senior director, Sponsorship and Corporate Relations, Lincoln Center; and Nick Simunovic, director of corporate development, Americas, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. The event will take place 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. at the Bruno Walter Auditorium at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center.

“We look forward to continuing a successful collaboration with MetLife Foundation on this important national initiative,” said Gary P. Steuer, executive director of Arts & Business Council of Americans for the Arts. “The foundation has played a key role in stimulating locally relevant dialogue among arts, business, and civic leaders and in bringing the lessons learned in those conversations to the larger field.”

For details about the 40 National Arts Forum events, please visit www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

MetLife Foundation was established by MetLife to carry on its long-standing tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. Grants are made to support health, educational, civic, and cultural organizations and programs. Recognizing the vital role the arts play in building communities and educating young people, MetLife Foundation provides grants to cultural organizations throughout the country. Support is emphasized for opportunities to bring cultural experiences to wider audiences and for projects with large and diverse audiences that help promote greater understanding among different cultures and bring communities together. For more information about the foundation, please visit its website at www.metlife.org.

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, it has a record of more than 45 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.