Company donates $500,000 in artwork to community organizations across the state

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T California today announced donations of artwork from its collection to nonprofit organizations across California in celebration of California Arts Day which is today, October 3rd.

AT&T has a long history of community involvement and philanthropic contributions, which includes support for the arts. This year, the company is donating select paintings, sculptures and other artwork from its collection to community partners and non-profit organizations across California.

'Up close and personal, art communicates and demonstrates how a culture defines and expresses itself -- and almost always with intense passion and skill,' said Ken McNeely, President, AT&T California. 'As a company in the business of communication, it's that passion, combined with skill and talent that we respect so much in the artist and their craft. We want to make sure that these wonderful works of art from our collection are available for the community to experience, discuss, and enjoy. We're proud to honor California Arts Day and help celebrate creative expression and diversity in our communities.'

'California Arts Day is the perfect time for AT&T to make this announcement,' said Muriel Johnson, Director of the California Arts Council. 'Our thanks to the company for this donation, and helping to make art more accessible to the people of California.'

Donated works of art include contemporary pieces from such well known artists as Elmer Bischoff, Kikuo Saito, Richard Serra, Terry Adkins and Charles Arnoldi.

California organizations receiving art donations from AT&T's collection include:

    -- Bakersfield Museum of Art
    -- Billy De Frank LGBT Community Center, San Jose
    -- Center for Accessible Technology, Berkeley
    -- CHARO, Los Angeles
    -- Fresno Art Museum
    -- Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce
    -- Kimochi, Inc., San Francisco
    -- Los Angeles Urban League
    -- Monterey County NAACP
    -- Museum of the African Diaspora, San Francisco
    -- San Diego LGBT Community Center
    -- San Francisco LGBT Community Center
    -- World Institute on Disability, Oakland

Two important works by acclaimed contemporary artists Barbara Rogers and Jennifer Bartlett have already been presented to the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento.

About Philanthropy at AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives and partnerships, AT&T supports projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2007, AT&T contributed more than $164 million through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs. AT&T and the AT&T Foundation, the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T, combine more than $1.9 billion of historic charitable commitment to communities across the country.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. In 2008, AT&T again ranked No. 1 on Fortune magazine's World's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list and No. 1 on America's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.