FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
In our darkest hours after 9/11, the arts helped heal a traumatized nation. Yet, that traumatic act of terrorism also inflicted a deep wound on the financial base of the arts in our country.

Recognizing this dilemma, the Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations opted to bring its annual New York State Arts Conference to New York City for the first time in its 27 year history, and to place it downtown - at the Marriott Financial Center Hotel, 85 West Street, NYC - as close to "Ground Zero" as possible.

"Rebuilding and Recovery: The Arts at Ground Zero" is the theme for the conference which takes place October 17, 18 and 19. Honoring...remembering...looking to the future is the agenda.

Kicking off the conference at 5 PM on Thursday, Oct. 17 will be a screening of "WE ARE FAMILY: The Making and Meaning of a Song to Heal a Nation", Emmy award winning director Danny Schechter's documentary of the recording session organized by famed songwriter/record producer Nile Rodgers to help lift our spirits after 9/1l. Rodgers brought together more than 200 celebrities along with police officers, emergency room doctors and others affected by the tragedy of 9/11, to re-record his famous song, "We are Family", a musical call for tolerance and global understanding. Danny Schechter and Nile Rodgers will speak at the screening.

Following will be two days of workshops and seminars designed to empower those interested in helping arts organizations thrive in this difficult time. Speakers include Commissioner Kate Levin, NY City Department of Cultural Affairs; Richard J. Schwartz, chairman of the NY State Council on the Arts; Hal Payne, President, Alliance Board of Directors; NY State Assemblyman Joseph Morelle, and many more.

A violent act of terrorism both revealed to us how important our arts and artists are to our community and damaged the financial base upon which our arts rest. The fragile economic basis of arts organizations has been hit hard. Government funds are now needed for defense. As the economy worsens, businesses are cutting their funding for the arts. Individuals, watching their stock portfolios shrink, are less forthcoming to appeals to help the arts. And, certain costs such as security and insurance have increased. What is to be done?

That's the subject of the Annual New York State Arts Conference held October 17, 18 and 19 near Ground Zero.

# # #

Judith Weiner, Executive Director of the Alliance of NY State Arts Organizations and record producer Nile Rodger are available for interviews. Call us for more information.

CONTACT: Jan Goldstoff or David Minshall,
Tel: 212 666 9429
e-mail: minsgold@aol.com