PITTSBURGH, PA.- Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh announced at its Board of Trustees meeting last night that The Fine Foundation, led by Carnegie Museums Trustee Emeritus Milton Fine, will give a $5 million gift to the Building the Future campaign in support of the Carnegie Museum of Art’s ongoing Carnegie International exhibitions, including the 2008 Carnegie International. This gift, the largest ever in support of the International, will also provide for the creation of the Fine Prize to be awarded to an emerging artist from each Carnegie International. The first prize will be awarded on May 2, 2008.

“The Carnegie International continues to be, in my opinion, the hallmark of the Carnegie. Nothing contributes to the vitality and prominence of this Institution throughout the world more than the Carnegie International, says Milton Fine, President and Chair of The Fine Foundation. “It is my hope that with this gift by The Fine Foundation, we will help to augment the commitment of Pittsburgh to the pivotal role of this exhibition, and thereby promote its future viability and durability.”

For more than a century, Carnegie Museum of Art has been home to the Carnegie International, the premier North American showcase for the best new art and new artists

from around the globe, and the second oldest such exhibition in the world. Organized at the behest of philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and held for the first time in 1896, the International was designed to educate and inspire Pittsburghers and promote international understanding and peace through the language of art. Through 111 years, it has also maintained a legacy of enriching Carnegie Museum of Art’s permanent collection, and continues to bring worldwide recognition to Pittsburgh and its thriving arts community.

“The Carnegie International is the ultimate embodiment of Andrew Carnegie’s desire to educate audiences, attract the art world to Pittsburgh, and build a collection of the ‘old masters of tomorrow,’” says David Hillenbrand, President and CEO of Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. “Through the remarkable support of The Fine Foundation, the International will continue to foster the creativity of today’s artists and carry on a rich tradition of excellence established by past exhibitors, such as Winslow Homer, Mary Cassatt, and Henri Matisse.”

“At crucial moments over its century-long existence, Carnegie Museum of Art has benefited from the exceptional generosity of certain donors,” said Richard Armstrong, The Henry J. Heinz II Director of Carnegie Museum of Art. “This is one of those historic moments.”

Mr. Fine has been helping “build the future” of Carnegie Museums for more than 25 years. He was elected to the Board of Trustees in 1983, and throughout his tenure served on the audit, executive, and nominating committees. Before becoming an Emeritus Trustee, he served as a Life Trustee from 1988 to 2000. Mr. Fine also served as chair of Carnegie Museum of Art’s Board for eight years and was instrumental in bringing the art of Andy Warhol back to Pittsburgh. He and his wife, Sheila, have also long supported Carnegie Museums as donors.

Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
Founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1895, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh is a collection of four distinctive museums dedicated to exploration through art and science: Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Science Center, and The Andy Warhol Museum. Collectively, the museums reach nearly 1.3 million people a year through exhibitions, educational programs, outreach activities, and special events.