UTC Recognized for 25 Years of Cultural Philanthropy

On October 16th, 2006, UTC Chairman and CEO George David shared the New York limelight with singer Aretha Franklin, entertainer Kitty Carlisle and actor Jake Gyllenhaal. What did a corporate chieftain have in common with these luminaries? On behalf of UTC he was receiving a prestigious annual award from Americans for the Arts, the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America.

UTC received the group’s Corporate Citizenship in the Arts award for its 25 years of financial support for the fine arts, theatre and music, including a total investment of $55 million and 54 shows in 13 countries.

“Americans for the Arts is pleased to recognize the outstanding philanthropic support of United Technologies at the National Arts Awards. UTC’s work goes far beyond the ordinary in keeping the arts alive—without the arts and leaders to support them, our world would clearly be much diminished,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO.

Americans for the Arts’ goals are closely aligned with UTC’s own when it comes to arts philanthropy: fostering an environment in which thriving arts contribute to more livable communities, providing financial support for arts and arts education, and instilling a higher value for the arts among Americans.

During 2006, UTC commissioned an ambitious three-city, outdoor exhibition of work by acclaimed artists Chuck Close, Mitch Epstein and Dayanita Singh. Called “Cities in Transition,” the show features photographs by Close, Epstein and Singh depicting aspects of America’s changing urban environment. Images included faces of immigrants in New York, the effect of the automobile on Boston, and the changing landscape of UTC’s headquarters city, Hartford, Connecticut.

“Cities in Transition” is the second installment of the United Technologies Public Art Project. In the first installment, UTC commissioned painters Alex Katz, Gary Hume and Lisa Sanditz to create works displayed on billboards in New York. UTC allowed the artists uncensored freedom of expression on their billboards, which were seen by millions.