Art + Culture Diaries: Gold Rush Awards

Brothers Russell, Danny and Joseph Simmons, founders of the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, and Derrick Adams, Curatorial Director of Rush Arts Gallery, are at it again. The Gold Rush Awards, another star studded celebration of the arts is on tap for Tuesday, February 10th, 2009 in New York City.  Over the last decade the organizations Art for Life East Hampton and Palm Beach benefits have raised millions of dollars to benefit underserved youth arts programming.

(Images: Gold Rush logo artwork and Rush Arts students at 5 Pointz in Queens, NY)

Through ticket sales and a silent art auction proceeds from this event will continue to support the Rush Philanthropic Foundation’s belief “…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 2008 the InsideOut Rush Teens Curatorial Projects program paired teens with legendary graffiti artist Meres in an in-depth look at the world of curation.  The program focused on exhibition planning, artist/curator collaboration and fieldwork at urban art locations such as 5 Pointz, New York’s largest outdoor Aerosol Art exhibition space (curated by Meres).

The first annual Gold Rush Awards will honor three trailblazers in the arts that represent entertainment arts, youth arts and the fine arts: Beverly Bond, DJ and Founder of Black Girls Rock!; Sonja Okun, Founder and Executive Director of Exalt Youth Program; and, Franklin Sirmans, Curator, Writer and Lecturer. Other participants in the event include: music by DJ Cassidy; a live performance by Talib Kweli; Event Co-Chair Chris Chambers of The Chamber Group; Naomi Beckwith of the Studio Museum in Harlem; and, Vanessa Riding of Gagosian Gallery, NYC.

For more information visit: www.rushartsgallery.org.