NEW YORK, NY.- FIAF (French Institute Alliance FranAaise) is celebrating its annual Trophee des Arts Gala on October 29, 2008 in New York's historic and newly renovated Plaza Ballroom, honoring Jean-Bernard Levy, CEO of Vivendi and Philippe de Montebello, the director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

During the evening, Grammy-Award winner Ne-Yo will surprise the audience with a special performance.

A black-tie benefit hosted by chairmen Doug Morris, Chairman of Universal Music Group, Phyllis Collins, Sarah Frank, member of the Vivendi Supervisory Board, and Lorenzo D. Weisman, this elegant evening will feature cocktails, dinner, and live and silent auctions to raise funds to support FIAF's educational and cultural programs.

PHILIPPE DE MONTEBELLO, TROPHEE DES ARTS 2008
FIAF's Trophee des Arts will be presented to the French born Philippe de Montebello in tribute to his exceptional career and legacy of achievements as the longest-serving director of the Metropolitan Museum's 138-year history. He started there in 1963 as a curatorial assistant and has led the museum since 1977.

The Trophee des Arts was created in 1992 and has since been bestowed upon French and American artists and cultural icons, including Christian Lacroix, Quincy Jones, Lauren Bacall, Louis Malle, Isabelle Huppert, Charlie Rose, and James Ivory.