OREANDA-NEWS. November 26, 2007.  Severstal, one of the leading and most profitable steel companies in the world, today announced its sponsorship for the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) as it reopens following extensive renovation and expansion.  The sponsorship underscores Severstal’s tradition of charity investment in support of art and culture in the regions where it operates, as well as its commitment to showcase the historical impact and cultural heritage of Russian art globally.

With over 60,000 works ranging from classic to contemporary, the DIA is among the top six U.S. museums in terms of their collection. It has undergone a six-and-a-half year renovation and expansion which included new construction and the re-hanging of over 5,000 pieces of art to bring life to the collection in new and exciting ways.

Graham W. J. Beal, Director of the DIA said, “Thanks to the support of Severstal and other benefactors, we are able to continue providing a gathering place for the vibrant community that is metropolitan Detroit. With the completion of this project we're building on a great tradition and are looking forward to working closely with Severstal in the future.”

Commenting on the sponsorship, Alexei Germanovich, Senior Vice President of Severstal said, “We believe that art is a language of culture that is universally understood, and have continuously supported the enrichment of that cause. Our support of the DIA is reflective of Severstal's commitment to enriching the communities around us - not just economically, but also culturally. We also have a special affinity for the DIA as it has a fresco by Diego Rivera that depicts one of our blast furnaces from the 1930s, giving patrons a glimpse into our history.”

Ron Nock, CEO of SNA said, “We are proud and excited to be a part of a global company that supports the communities where it operates. The DIA is both a Detroit and a National treasure and the efforts to preserve and restore this landmark means that it will be available for people to enjoy for many years to come.”

In addition to supporting the DIA, Severstal has sponsored various art and cultural events throughout North America:
2008:  In collaboration with the State Russian Museum, Severstal will bring to the U.S. American Artists from Russia, a multi-faceted project which studies the cultural interaction and influence of Russia and America on specific artists.
October 2006:  The Mariinsky Theatre toured across the U.S., performing a series of shows in major cities from Seattle to Washington, D.C.
May 2005: The Saint-Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra performed at the United Nations General Assembly Hall to commence the sixtieth anniversary of the end of World War II and anniversary of the United Nations.
December 2004 – March 2005:  A historic collection of 20th Century Russian paintings were mounted by the Tretyakov Gallery, and shown in the Museum of Russian Arts (Minneapolis, MN) and The Smithsonian Institute (Washington, D.C.).

Severstal became part of the greater Detroit community following its purchase in 2004 of Rouge Industries (now Severstal North America) in Dearborn, Michigan – one of the most renowned steel operations in the US dating back to the days of Henry Ford. To learn more about Severstal North America, please visit www.severstalna.com.