Carnegie Hall's Board of Trustees today joined the Board of New York City Center in approving details of their strategic programming partnership, focused primarily on artistic collaborations. This partnership will create joint presentations by Carnegie Hall and New York City Center–including festivals comprised of music, dance, theater, and musical theater–the first of which will be offered in fall 2008. Specific details related to festival programming for the 2008/9 season will be announced in January 2008.
As previously announced, each institution will retain its own Board of Trustees and separate 501(c)(3) status. While artistic collaborations may provide future opportunities for joint fundraising and marketing, capital campaign fundraising for the renovation of the landmark New York City Center will now be undertaken solely by New York City Center. The Boards have also concluded that they can pursue their collaboration without changing their governance structure to add a new Partnership Board of Trustees. The companies announced their intention to forge a relationship in December 2005. "We are enjoying developing creative and exciting cross-arts programming concepts with the excellent team at New York City Center, which we jointly plan to launch in 2008," said Clive Gillinson, Carnegie Hall's executive and artistic director. "Our discussions over the last year have strongly affirmed our belief that we can jointly develop special and compelling projects through this partnership, reaching broader audiences and enhancing New York's cultural life through playing to each institution's individual strengths."
"We are thrilled to formalize the exciting relationship that we have developed with Carnegie Hall during the past year," states Arlene Shuler, New York City Center President & CEO. "The expanded programming potential that this partnership brings to both institutions will enable each of us to serve even more New Yorkers eager for dynamic cultural experiences. While City Center continues to develop plans for its renovation, we eagerly look forward to continue working with our neighbors across the street on thematic festivals and other joint projects that will enhance our already rich seasons." "Carnegie Hall features the world's greatest soloists, ensembles, and orchestras in its renowned Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, intimate Weill Recital Hall, and technologically advanced Zankel Hall. The legendary concert venue presents over 190 events each year and produces such acclaimed series as Perspectives, Making Music, and Distinctive Debuts. The recent establishment of The Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall paves the way for expanded opportunities as Carnegie Hall moves forward as an international cultural center representing the very best in musical performance and arts education," as press notes describe.
"New York City Center has long been known and beloved by New York audiences not only as one of the city's preeminent performing arts institutions but also as an accessible and welcoming venue for dance and theater. New York City Center produces the Tony-honored Encores! musical theater series, and is the New York home to some of the country's leading dance companies, including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, Paul Taylor Dance Company, as well as Manhattan Theatre Club, one of New York City's premier theater companies. Continuing to fulfill its mission to make the arts accessible to the broadest possible audiences, in 2004 New York City Center launched the acclaimed Fall for Dance Festival which, for $10 a ticket, annually celebrates the vitality and creativity of dance today. In 2006, New York City Center and London's Sadler's Wells Theatre created a partnership to facilitate the exchange of innovative dance works and new commissions by up-and-coming and acclaimed choreographers and dance companies, both in London and in New York City."
