16/01/2002

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, based in New York has announced the formation of a $ 50 million (€ 56.1 million) fund to assist the city’s arts organisations affected by the September 2001 terrorist attacks. The fund is aimed at art associations but will not be available to individuals: grants range from $ 250,000 to $ 2 million (€280,660-2.24 million) for each applicant group. William G. Bowen, President of the Foundation, stated that "While $ 50 million (€ 56.1 million) is a considerable sum, it does not begin to address the full range of the needs, and their urgency, that now confront cultural institutions--museums, libraries, and performing arts organizations--that so powerfully help to define New York City's special qualities." The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is a private foundation, with assets of approximately $ 4 billion (€ 4.49 billion), which makes grants on a selective basis to institutions in higher education; museums and art conservation; performing arts; population; conservation and the environment; and public affairs. Andrew W. Mellon (1855–1937) a successful aluminium, steel, and oil industrialist was in the early 20th century one of the wealthiest men in the US. With his private passion being art, he donated an extensive art collection along with grants amounting to $ 15 million (€ 16.8 million) to establish in 1937 the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. (Andrew Moore)