DANCE NEWS: Lynne and Richard Pasculano Donate $50 Million to Support Contemporary Dance at Lincoln Center

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (LCPA) today announced a $50 million gift from Lynne and Richard Pasculano in support of an expansion of contemporary dance at Lincoln Center.  

 

The gift represents the largest single programming gift in LCPA’s history. 

 

This founding gift for The Pasculano Collaborative for Contemporary Dance paves the way for more of the most dynamic and innovative contemporary dance performances from across the globe to join the cultural crossroads of Lincoln Center – honoring the distinguished legacy of dance on campus and investing in the next generation of dance artists. 

 

“At its heart, Lincoln Center is a place for artistic collaboration and discovery,” said Steven R. Swartz, Chair of the Board of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. “The vision and generosity of Lynne and Richard Pasculano allows us to work alongside our fellow resident organizations and peers throughout the field to deepen this collaboration and discovery for contemporary dance artists and audiences. We are thrilled to be embarking on this new initiative alongside our phenomenal resident organization colleagues.” 

 

“Lincoln Center has long been home to many of the most innovative and beloved dance creators of our time – primarily, through the incredible work led by the New York City Ballet. But never have we had a dedicated commitment of this magnitude to ensure contemporary dance across genres will be a pillar of programming for decades to come,” said Mariko Silver, President and CEO of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. “These are challenging times for the contemporary dance community, as we continue recovering from the height of the Covid pandemic. This Collaborative is intended to create new possibilities across the industry by catalyzing deep collaboration with dance makers and organizations across our campus, New York City, the nation, and the world. This generous and inspiring support from Lynne and Richard Pasculano will ensure the long-held dream of Lincoln Center as a home for contemporary dance can be more fully realized.” 

 

Silver added, “We are so grateful to the Pasculanos for their continued investments across Lincoln Center. Lynne and Richard walked alongside us during some of the hardest times in recent memory, providing critical funds as we opened up after the height of the pandemic. Now, they are inspiring and supporting us to deepen our engagement with a thrilling range of innovative dance makers and dance organizations creating today.” 

 

Lincoln Center Campus. Photo: Lawrence Sumulong

“This gift was inspired by our deep love for Lincoln Center and for contemporary dance, which is truly a family affair. My father, Harry Lebensfeld, supported Lincoln Center for decades, and we are proud to build on and expand this family legacy,” said Lynne Pasculano. “Lincoln Center’s investment in free and choose-what-you-pay programming is building new audiences for the performing arts. Since New York is the greatest city in the world for contemporary dance, we want to be sure that as many New Yorkers as possible can experience this phenomenal creativity at Lincoln Center.” 

 

“We hope this gift will inspire others to give to the performing arts, and to dance, which we believe are some of the best parts of New York City life,” said Richard Pasculano. “Investing in the great dance artists of our time will help ensure that Lincoln Center is a leader of cultural innovation and exchange for decades to come, and that New Yorkers from all walks of life can be part of the incredible artistic energy that defines us.”