In Thursday’s (9/23) Baltimore Sun, Mary Carole McCauley writes, “Baltimore-born billionaire and philanthropist David Rubenstein pledged on Sept. 22 $10 million to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, with half of those funds earmarked for the National Symphony Orchestra. The five year gift will include $5 million to the Symphony in connection with the arrival of the group’s new music director, Christoph Eschenbach; $2.5 million for a major annual cultural program at the institution, and $1.5 million for a program that brings the arts into classrooms around the U.S. The remaining $1 million will be used to support such major events as the Center’s annual honors gala and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Rubenstein became chairman of the Center’s board of directors in May. In a news release, he said that his gifts are meant to ensure ‘that the Kennedy Center and National Symphony Orchestra remain world class organizations. We are fortunate to have them as our leaders.’ … In the past, Rubenstein has given $3.5 million to the Kennedy Center and $5 million to the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.”
Posted September 23, 2010
