The Downtown Dinner 2024

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A Celebration of LMCC's 50th Anniversary
April 15, 2024
The Conrad Downtown 

Presenting

The Liberty Award for Artistic Leadership

Bill T. Jones

 

The Sam Miller Award for Performing Arts

Miguel Gutierrez

 

The Michael Richards Award for Visual Art

Baseera Khan

 

Special Performance by

Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company 

Photo by Maria Baranova / Courtesy New York Live Arts
Photo by Maria Baranova / Courtesy New York Live Arts

2024 Liberty Award for Artistic Leadership

Bill T. Jones

Bill T. Jones (Artistic Director/Co-Founder/Choreographer: Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company; Artistic Director: New York Live Arts) was the Associate Artist of the 2020 Holland Festival and recipient of the 2014 Doris Duke Performing Artist Award; the 2013 National Medal of Arts; the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors; a 2010 Tony Award for Best Choreography of the critically acclaimed FELA!; a 2007 Tony Award, 2007 Obie Award, and 2006 Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation CALLAWAY Award for his choreography for Spring Awakening; the 2010 Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award; the 2007 USA Eileen Harris Norton Fellowship; the 2006 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Choreography forThe Seven; the 2005 Wexner Prize; the 2005 Samuel H. Scripps American Dance Festival Award for Lifetime Achievement; the 2005 Harlem Renaissance Award; the 2003 Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize; and the 1994 MacArthur “Genius” Award. In 2010, Mr. Jones was recognized as Officier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government, and in 2000, The Dance Heritage Coalition named Mr. Jones “An Irreplaceable Dance Treasure.”

Mr. Jones choreographed and performed worldwide with his late partner, Arnie Zane, before forming the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company in 1982. He has created more than 140 works for his company. Mr. Jones is the Artistic Director of New York Live Arts, an organization that strives to create a robust framework in support of the nation’s dance and movement-based artists through new approaches to producing, presenting and educating. For more information visit newyorklivearts.org.

D-Man in the Waters, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company, Photo by Jay Anderson
D-Man in the Waters, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company, Photo by Jay Anderson

2024 Guest Performance

The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company

The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company was born in 1982 out of an 11-year collaboration between Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane (1948–1988). During this time, they redefined the duet form and foreshadowed issues of identity, form and social commentary that would change the face of American dance. The Company has performed worldwide in over 200 cities in 40 countries on every major continent and is recognized as one of the most innovative and powerful forces in the dance-theater world. To learn more about the The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company, visit newyorklivearts.org/history.

Photo by John Darko
Photo by John Darko

2024 Gala Emcee

Darrell Martin

A lifelong artist, Darrell Martin has collaborated with such stars as Pink, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Rupaul throughout his production and entertainment career. His career in entertaining at private affairs include such clients as Wells Fargo, American Express, Readers Digest and the families of Chris Berman, Ron Howard, Howard Stern, as well as a host of others. Currently Darrell is a psychotherapist, coach and group facilitator who works with a variety of artist populations and theatrical production companies. In 2022 he co-founded ARTSNYC (with artist and psychotherapist Brian Spitulnik) to provide system-focused individual and group therapy, coaching, and consulting that is guided by artists and arts-workers' voices and emerging needs. A strong believer in the power of creativity, Darrell is thrilled to celebrate LMCC’s enduring mission to support arts and culture in NYC.

Golden Anniversary Circle

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The 50 for 50 Golden Anniversary Circle sponsors support LMCC with a $50,000 table purchase. These generous contributions reflect their commitment to LMCC and the transformative power of art. Learn more about the 50 for 50 Golden Anniversary Circle here.

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The Downtown Dinner supports LMCC's efforts to serve, connect, and make space for artists and community in Manhattan and beyond.

Since 2002, The Downtown Dinner has stood as a beacon of philanthropy, playing an indispensable role in raising funds to support our mission. As we celebrate 50 years of LMCC, we invite you to join us in reflecting on the remarkable journey that has made The Downtown Dinner a cornerstone of springtime festivities in Lower Manhattan.

The Downtown Dinner has evolved into an annual gathering that transcends mere fundraising; it has become a celebration of community, resilience, and the pivotal role that artists play in shaping the vibrant tapestry of Downtown. With each passing year, the event has grown, drawing in over 500 of the City's most influential figures from the realms of business, civic leadership, and culture.

At the heart of our celebration is a deep appreciation for the artists who contribute immeasurably to the soul of Downtown. The event provides a platform to recognize and honor their invaluable contributions. Through captivating performances, inspiring speeches, and immersive art installations, The Downtown Dinner showcases the diverse talents that make our community truly unique.

Past Downtown Dinner Honorees

2023
Twyla Tharp, Liberty Award for Artistic Leadership
Francis J. Greenburger, Liberty Award for Corporate Leadership
Mei Lum
David Thomson
Lisa Hsiao Chen

2022
Pam Tanowitz, Liberty Award for Artistic Leadership
Ezra Wube
The Harlem Chamber Players
Chia-Lun Chang

2021
The Downtown Dinner Reimagined featuring Bill Frisell, Okwui Okpokwasili, and Damon Davis

2020
Jessica Lappin, President, Downtown Alliance, Liberty Award for Corporate Leadership
Maggie Boepple, Liberty Award for Corporate Leadership
Amina Henry
Eiko Otake
Paul Pfeiffer

2019 
The Howard Hughes Corporation, Liberty Award for Corporate Leadership
Julie Taymor, Liberty Award for Artistic Leadership 
Kaneza Schaal
Kamau Ware
Liana Finck

2018
Tim & Stephanie Ingrassia, Liberty Award for Corporate Leadership
Julie Mehretu, Liberty Award for Artistic Leadership
Matt Jensen
Will Rawls
Melissa Febos

2017
Anita Durst, Helena Durst, Durst Family, Liberty Award for Corporate Leadership
The Keith Haring Foundation & The Estate of Tseng Kwong Chi, Liberty Award for Artistic Leadership
William Cordova
Faye Driscoll
Lisa Ko

2016
Frank Sciame, Liberty Award for Corporate Leadership
Laurie Anderson, Liberty Award for Artistic Leadership
Laura Nova
Okwui Okpokwasili
Julia Jarcho

2015
Peter Poulakakos, Liberty Award for Corporate Leadership
Xu Bing, Liberty Award for Artistic Leadership
Mary Mattingly (accepted by Caroline Wall, Director, Robert Mann Gallery)
Aya Ogawa
Sarah Dohrmann

2014
The Trust for Governors Island, Liberty Award for Corporate Leadership
Trisha Brown Dance Company, Liberty Award for Artistic Leadership 
Dread Scott
Naomi Goldberg Haas
Pia Wilson
Control Group

2013
Cherrie Nanninga, outgoing Board Chair, Liberty Award for Corporate Leadership
Richard Serra, Liberty Award for Artistic Leadership
LaToya Ruby Frazier
Pavel Zustiak
Amy Whitaker

2012
Kevin Burke & Con Edison, Liberty Award for Corporate Leadership
Robert R. Douglass & the Alliance for Downtown New York, Liberty Award for Corporate Leadership
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum architecture and engineering team, Liberty Award for Artistic Leadership
Simone Leigh
Maria Hassabi
Alicia Jo Rabins

*Michael Arad/Handel Architects, Davis Brody Bond, Snøhetta, Peter Walker/PWP Landscape Architecture

2011
Kenneth I. Chenault & American Express, Liberty Award for Corporate Leadership
The Joyce Theater (award accepted by Linda E. Shelton), Liberty Award for Artistic Leadership
Yoko Inoue
Koosil-ja
Emily Rubin

2010
Steve Buscemi, Liberty Award for Artistic Leadership
Brookfield (award accepted by Melissa Coley, Anita Contini, and Debra Simon), Liberty Award for Corporate Leadership
Kate Gilmore
The National Theatre of the United States of America