The Park Avenue Armory has received a gift of $65 million from the The Thompson Family Foundation, bringing the total amount of money given by the foundation to the institution to a total of $129 million over the past years.  The Foundation, set up to honor the memory of businessman Wade Thompson, has long been a staunch supporter of the Armory.  “He passionately believed that the Armory should be rescued as one of the country’s most important landmarks,” says his widow, Angela Thompson. (more…)

Upon a further budget review, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has added an additional $54 million to the $84.7 million earmarked for arts organizations in the Californian metropolis.  The money will allow for major renovations to a number of LA Arts organizations and institutions. (more…)

The New York Times reports on the growing contemporary arts scene in Bangkok, Thailand, increasingly bolstered by expats and foreigners.  Referred to as “farangs” in Thai, many have opened galleries, nonprofits and other organizations promoting the city’s artists and institutions.  “Farangs play a very important role in the image of what goes on here,” says curator Pier Luigi Tazzi.  “They are still connected to their own countries so these links are still very attractive in terms of communication.” (more…)