ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT REPORTS FROM THE TIMES, NEWS SERVICES AND THE NATION’S PRESS.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Martin’s Television Venture: Movie star, comic and author Steve Martin, who got his start in TV more than 30 years ago as a writer on “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,” is returning to the small screen in a behind-the-scenes role. Carsey-Werner (“Roseanne,” “3rd Rock From the Sun”) has signed Martin and his producing partner Joan Stein to an exclusive three-year development deal that will have the two developing and producing TV series for the production company under the banner of Martin-Stein Co. Some of these series will be co-developed with fellow film and theater colleagues. Martin’s last TV foray was as executive producer of the short-lived CBS series “Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills.”

*

Ford Grant: The Japanese American National Museum is the only Los Angeles institution to receive a grant from the Ford Foundation under a new program called New Directions/New Donors, which will provide a total of $40 million to 28 arts organizations nationwide. The museum, which opened a new building last year in Little Tokyo, will receive a $1.5-million grant, which it must match with $3 million from new supporters within three years. The money will establish a $3.5-million endowment fund for artistic programs and create a $1-million working-capital reserve, a foundation representative said. The program is intended to encourage creative new programs and build community support for arts organizations.

*

Corzo’s New Assignment: Miguel Angel Corzo, former director of the Getty Conservation Institute, has been appointed president and chief executive of the University of the Arts in Pittsburgh. Corzo will succeed retiring President Peter Solmssen on July 1. The university, which is devoted to professional training in design, media and the visual and performing arts, was formed in 1987 by merging the Philadelphia College of Art and Design and the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts.

*

Simon to Showtime: Production has begun on Showtime’s “Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” a nostalgic comedy based on Simon’s 1993 Broadway play about his early years as a writer on Sid Caesar’s “Your Show of Shows.” Nathan Lane repeats his Broadway role as a neurotic TV superstar modeled after Caesar. Also starring are Peri Gilpin, Victor Garber, Saul Rubinek, Dan Castellaneta and Mark Linn-Baker. Richard Benjamin, who directed the 1982 comedy “My Favorite Year,” which also focused on the relationship between a Caesaresque TV star and a young writer, is directing.

QUICK TAKES

The 1970-74 comedy variety series “The Flip Wilson Show” is coming to DVD and video. Rhino Home Video has acquired the rights to the groundbreaking NBC series that starred the late African American comedian. The first installments will be released Aug. 22 . . . HBO Films will be bringing Donald Margulies’ 2000 Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “Dinner With Friends,” to the cable network. Laura Ziskin will be executive producer; filming is scheduled to start this fall . . . Pianist Emanuel Ax will autograph CDs following his performance tonight of Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.