By Amy Zimmer
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN — Their cars may be compact, but the German auto giant Volkswagen has much bigger things in mind when it comes to sponsorship deals, according to a new two year partnership announced by the Museum of Modern Art Monday.
The car company will provide an undisclosed amount of funding for an international contemporary art exhibit at MoMA PS1 in 2013 at the museum's hip Long Island City outpost.
The deal will also help expand MoMA's online course offerings starting next year, for a series of installations in the museum's sculpture garden and for works of Belgian artist Francis Alys, whose current show is sponsored by Volkswagen.
The automaker's company's "commitment to innovation and education parallels the Museum's," MoMA Director Glenn Lowry said in a statement. The partnership will help the museum "realize longstanding goals and ambitious exhibitions and programs," he added.
Museum officials said the deal would help them find and present a wide-ranging survey of artists from around the world.
Volkswagen says it reflects the company's social commitment.
"This partnership expresses our corporate commitment to take responsibility for the environment and for society," CEO Martin Winterkorn said in a statement.
