A charity event to benefit Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation will take place this Saturday April 5, 2008. Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation was established by the Simmons family, specifically Russell Simmons and brothers Danny and Reverend Run, to provide inner-city youth access to the arts. On Saturday, the gala will honor artists, John Legend and Wyclef Jean, Suze Orman, a financial expert and TV personality, and real estate developer, R. Donahue Peebles for their efforts to promote arts education amongst our youth. Nia Long will be hosting this star-studded event which will be held in Miami Beach at “The Bath Club”. Sean Combs will be the Honorary Chair of the event alongside Chip & Allison Brady, Tracy Wilson Mourning, Loren Ridinger as “event chairs”. After party hosted by DJ Khaled will commence immediately after the gala.
ABOUT ART FOR LIFE MIAMI
For the past three years, Rush Philanthropic has held a fabulous event in South Florida for 600 people in Palm Beach, Florida. In 2008, Rush Philanthropic will for the first time host ART FOR LIFE Miami in addition to our annual ART FOR LIFE East Hampton fundraiser. ART FOR LIFE Palm Beach and ART FOR LIFE East Hampton raised more than $2 million in 2007.

MISSION & HISTORY

Rush Philanthropic believes in the vital importance of lifelong exposure to the arts, nurtured in early childhood, and anchored in sustained, creative experiences throughout one’s life. In its first 11 years, Rush Philanthropic has served over 700,000 urban youth, directed millions in funding from donors (including individuals, foundations, and leading corporations) to underserved youth, and established two exhibit and education facilities, one in Brooklyn’s Clinton Hill neighborhood and the other in Manhattan’s Chelsea arts district.

Founded in 1995 by brothers Russell, Danny and Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons, Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation is dedicated to providing disadvantaged urban youth with significant exposure and access to the arts, as well as providing exhibition opportunities to under-represented artists and artists of color.  A 501(C)3 organization, Rush Philanthropic fulfills its mission through three core programs: grants, exhibitions and mentoring.  The Rush Community Grants Program annually provides direct funding to over 70 nonprofit organizations that offer education programming in all disciplines of the arts to New York City and South Florida youth. Rush also runs two arts exhibition and education facilities: Rush Arts Gallery and Resource Center in Manhattan’s Chelsea arts district and the Corridor Gallery in Brooklyn’s Clinton Hill neighborhood. The Rush Gallery in the School and Rush Kids Visual Arts Mentorship Programs (a.k.a. Rush Kids) use arts education to create a spark that lights the imagination and creativity of the urban youth we serve. The Rush Impact Mentorship Initiative allows the foundation’s leadership to reach out to young people by taking them behind the scenes at Rush Communications’ headquarters for in-depth Q&A sessions with Russell Simmons and executives in music, fashion, and creative-related professions.

The organization is currently in a fundraising campaign for an 11,000 square-foot arts education and resource center it will open Spring 2008 in East New York, Brooklyn. The building was a gift from Ron Hershco of United Homes.

Art saves lives, it is that simple. Rush Philanthropic believes that if you give young people the opportunity to practice and appreciate art — whether poetry, music, dance, or the visual arts — then you will see lives transformed as young people learn to value their own unique voices and visions. It is this type of impact we aspire to see happen and that your support will make possible.
  
More info on Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation visit: www.rushphilanthropic.org