Mikhail Prokhorov giving $1 million to Brooklyn Academy of Music

The Mikhail Prokhorov Fund was set up by the Nets owner years ago to provide funding to cultural institutions and programs, mainly in those areas where he has investments. His sister Irina, one of Russia's top literary editors and intellectuals, runs it. Now just as they did in Russia, the Prokhorovs are funding cultural initiatives in Brooklyn.

The Wall Street Journal reports they have made a $1 million grant to the Brooklyn Academy of Music through the Mikhail Prokhorov Fund. The grant will be announced Thursday at a cocktail reception before the BAM 30 Next Wave Gala, as will the new artistic partnership the grant will support, the TransCultural Express: American and Russian Arts Today. It is the fund's first first grant to a U.S.-based cultural institution.

Meanwhile, as the opening approaches, Prokhorov is in the news on a number of fronts. His interview with "Details" is now online and he tells the Post that he's not interested in buying into the Islanders until the Nets win a championship and will let Bruce Ratner decide how important it is for the Isles to join the Nets at Barclays Center.

• Playing Ball in Brooklyn Arts - V.L. Hendrickson - Wall Street Journal
• Mikhail Prokhorov adds to his Greatest Hits - Adam Sharp - SB Nation
• Prokhorov not ready to score hockey team for Brooklyn until Nets win title - Rich Calder - New York Post