Armani gives $1 million for arts in NYC schools

updated 9:41 a.m. ET Feb. 18, 2009

NEW YORK - Giorgio Armani is giving $1 million to nurture arts programs in New York City public schools, the designer announced Tuesday night.

The donation, which Armani announced as he opened the Armani/5th Avenue flagship store, will support arts offerings in schools with many disadvantaged students.

The new initiative will be called the Armani Arts Institute. The designer said he saw it as "giving young kids a chance to dream."

Arts education is "an essential component of a well-rounded curriculum," and Armani's gift would help insure all city students have a chance to experience it, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

The contribution will be going to the Fund for Public Schools, a nonprofit organization that supports city schools. It has raised more than $240 million since 2003.

More from msnbc.com     Silver Lining: Tales of struggle and hope   Is Obama’s star dimming as U.S. standing drops?   Analyst: India needs reassurance it's a priority   She lost it all, but found a purpose   Elkhart Project: Pets going homeless in droves Red Tape: Life after overdraft fees  On Twitter: Breaking news updates | Weird and wild

MORE FROM GIVING

Giving Section Front

Child entrepreneur gives back big   Filmmaker Perry gives $1 million to NAACP   Chef Paula Deen hit in face by charity ham   Video: Soup kitchen chef raises standard of giving Deer hunters help feed the hungry Goldman Sachs on Thanksgiving trash duty Food banks struggle to meet demand Suze Orman champions women's causes Schools get $335 million to boost teaching   Salvation Army swamped with bell-ringer applicants Giving Section Front   Add Giving headlines to your news reader: