NADLER STIMULATES ART ORGS

rep. jerrold nadler announced that upper west side art institutions and nonprofits will receive more than $500,000 in federal stimulus funds.

as donations to these groups dwindled in the sagging economy, the federal money will be intended for job preservation.

"it's always essential to support the arts in our communities," nadler said in a statement. "but these stimulus funds are particularly significant right now for the retention of thousands of local jobs."

groups receiving the grants from the national endowment of the arts include the alvin ailey dance foundation, lincoln center and the vivian beaumont theater.