When corporate sponsors balked, private donors from around the world stepped in to fund the Carnegie International

When corporate sponsors balked, private donors from around the world stepped in to fund the Carnegie International: "When the 54th Carnegie International opened last Friday, the festivities served as a reunion for 57 people whose generosity funded nearly one quarter of the exhibit's cost.

John Heller, Post-Gazette
At the Carnegie International's opening gala Friday, a cocktail hour was set up in the museum's lobby. The International runs through March 20.
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Known as Friends of the 2004 Carnegie International, these 57 affluent donors contributed more than $700,000 to the $3 million exhibit once it became clear that no single local corporation would serve as lead sponsor. Lead sponsors usually make a major contribution ranging from $500,000 to $1 million. Forty of the 57 individuals -- or 20 out of 25 couples -- gave at least $10,000, and some much more."