AFTA 2009

Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi with AFTA Awardees, Robert Redford and Salmon Rushdie

Cipriani’s Grand Central outpost was abuzz with all sorts of luminaries this past Monday when Americans for the Arts presented the 2009 National Arts Awards honoring distinguished artistic, cultural and corporate leaders for their contributions to arts in America. After a hard day in the hot seat for her disparaging comments on General Stanley McChrystal, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi looked nothing short of glowing and none to bothered to present Robert Redford with the NAA Lifetime Achievement Award.  Other recipients included: Salman Rushdie presented with the Kitty Carlisle Hart Award for Outstanding Contributions to Arts; Sidney Herman was given the Frederic R. Weisman Philanthropy in the Arts Award; Bank of America received the Corporate Citizenship in the Arts Award; Rosario Dawson the Award for Artistic Excellence; and Lisa Phillips, Director of The New Museum, seemed really chuffed to hand Ed Rusha his award for Artistic Excellence.  Photographer Todd Eberle was commissioned to make portraits of the honored guests and set-up a mobile photo studio in the Chapel area at Cipriani’s.  The portraits are available for $1500 and all proceeds benefit Americans for the Artts.  www.AmericanForTheArts.org