Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg Awarded Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies' 2nd Annual Leonore and Walter H. Annenberg Award for Diplomacy through the Arts

WASHINGTON, April 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies (FAPE), the leading non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the United States image abroad through American art, announced today that it will honor the Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City, with the second annual Leonore and Walter Annenberg Award for Diplomacy through the Arts.  Artist Ellsworth Kelly, who designed the official award, will present it to Mayor Bloomberg at FAPE's State Department dinner on Monday, April 12, 2010, in Washington, DC.  The event is being hosted by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

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The award recognizes the outstanding achievements of distinguished American individuals who have furthered national and global appreciation of the arts.  The Award is one small way for FAPE to honor Lee Annenberg, a founder of FAPE, and her husband, Walter, for their extraordinary commitment to our organization.  

Mayor Bloomberg was selected for his exceptional support and promotion of the arts and his tremendous impact on New York City's diverse cultural community.

As Mayor, he has energized and expanded support for non-profit arts organizations throughout all five boroughs; encouraged excellence in design for city building programs; and promoted world-class public art installations, including major exhibitions by international artists. Through these initiatives, U.S. citizens and visitors from around the world have the opportunity to learn about our country's diverse culture and through his support of NYC Global Partners, New York has furthered its connections with cities worldwide.

"I am honored to be recognized by the Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Culture is key to New York City's place as one of the world's leading cities. Our quality of life, economy and identity depend on the vitality of our extraordinary creative community, and I am proud of the work my Administration has done to support the arts."

FAPE Chairman, Jo Carole Lauder said, "Mayor Bloomberg is one our country's greatest champions of the arts.  His commitment represents the essence of FAPE's mission, which is to use art to promote cross cultural dialogue and exchange.  For this, FAPE is proud to present our 2nd Annual Annenberg Award to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg."

Mayor Bloomberg was unanimously selected by the members of FAPE's Award jury, including Richard Parsons, Chairman, Citigroup; Earl A. Powell III, Director, National Gallery of Art; Sharon Rockefeller, President and CEO, WETA, Public Television & Radio; Anna Deavere Smith, Actress, Playwright; and John C. Whitehead, former United States Deputy Secretary of State.

Continuing the conversation on the importance of art, the National Gallery of Art will host a panel discussion on "The Role of Art in Diplomacy" at 1:00 PM on Monday, April 12, 2010. Panelists will include artist Chuck Close; Ambassador Cynthia Schneider, Georgetown University and the Brookings Institution; and Robert Storr, Dean of the Yale School of Art.  Held in the East Building Large Auditorium, the panel will be moderated by Joseph J. Krakora, Executive Officer for Development and External Affairs at the museum.  This program is coordinated with the Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies, and the event is free and open to the public. For more information, please visit http://www.nga.gov/programs/lectures/.

About The Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies

The Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies (FAPE) is the leading non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the United States image abroad through American art. Founded as a public-private, non-partisan partnership in 1986, FAPE works with the U.S. Department of State to contribute fine art to U.S. embassies around the world. FAPE's donations include works by more than 186 preeminent American artists placed in over 140 countries.  Headquartered in Washington D.C., FAPE has raised over $42 million in art and monetary contributions to date. For more information, please visit www.fapeglobal.org.

For the National Gallery of Art:

Note to the Press:

News media planning to cover the panel discussion should contact Larissa Trociuk in the Office of Press and Public Information at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, (202) 842-6358, [email protected].

SOURCE The Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies