Mayor Bloomberg, Gov. Pataki join members of the four cultural groups selected for the WTC site

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, actor Ed Norton, and dancer Savion Glover joined city and state officials on Thursday, June 10, to announce the selection of four cultural institutions that will provide a wide-ranging, diverse mix of dance, theatre, and fine arts for the performing arts center to be built at the World Trade Center site.

After reviewing more than 100 proposals, the LMDC, along with its city and state partners, offered space on the site to the Joyce International Dance Center, the Freedom Center, the Signature Theatre, and the Drawing Center. These institutions will provide year-long programming at the arts center, creating a cultural destination spot for New Yorkers and tourists alike.

"Cultural programming has always been an essential part of rebuilding Lower Manhattan and creating a fitting tribute to all the heroes we lost during the attacks," Governor Pataki said in a statement. "The addition of these world class cultural institutions at the World Trade Center site will reaffirm life in the wake of the tragedy."

Desmond Tutu and other dignitaries were present for the announcement

The institutions include the Joyce International Dance Center, which will present one- or two-week engagements by about 30 different dance companies from around the world each year; the Freedom Center, a new organization created expressly for the World Trade Center site that will include exhibitions focused  on "humankind's enduring quest for freedom"; Signature Theatre Company, which will showcase some of the world's most acclaimed dramatists, and the Drawing Center, the only fine arts institution in the nation that concentrates exclusively on the exhibition of drawings.

"New Yorkers can be proud of this exciting combination of cultural venues in Lower Manhattan," said New York City Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Kate Levin in a statement. "Each organization has a distinct and exemplary mission, and together they have the potential to create lasting synergies. In addition to providing superlative programming, these cultural facilities will help transform the neighborhood, advance artistic exploration, and generate economic growth throughout the entire City."

Over the next six months, these four institutions will work with the LMDC to put together a feasibility analysis of their proposed programming, funding capacity, and space requirements. The LMDC will then enter into formal agreement with the  organizations, and perhaps also offer challenge grants to assist with the costs of establishing these facilities.

The selection of these institutions concludes a two-year process that began in early 2002. The LMDC held more than a dozen public meetings on the future of the WTC site, where it was mandated by the public that cultural facilities should be an important part of the rebuilding process in Lower Manhattan.

LMDC Chairman Whitehead, Mayor Bloomberg, and Gov. Pataki attended the event

In conjunction with its city and state partners, the LMDC then reached a consensus on the recommended group of arts organizations. The LMDC board, at its July 8 board meeting, will determine and offer planning grants to selected institutions.

"The selection of these institutions is a great step in the revitalization of Lower Manhattan," Mayor Bloomberg said in a statement, "and a significant development in New York's cultural renaissance."

For more information about the chosen cultural institutions, go to www.renewnyc.com