Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation (RPAF) is proud to celebrate the 2016 ART FOR LIFE Benefit on July 16th at Fairview Farms in Bridgehampton, NY.
RPAF is dedicated to providing inner city youth across New York City with significant exposure to the arts, as well as to supporting emerging artists with exhibition opportunities. This year’s private gala will honor Soledad O'Brien, award-winning journalist; Star Jones, TV personality, lawyer and philanthropist; Frank Cooper III, CMO/CCO of BuzzFeed; James Cruz, President Bad Boy Management & Strategic Alliances; Suzanne de Passe, Co-Chair de Passe Jones Entertainment; Debra L. Lee, Chairman and CEO, BET Networks; Alex Waislitz, Founder & Chairman of the Thorney Investment Group Australia & Waislitz Family Foundation; and Artist Nari Ward for their support of the arts, career achievements, and overall commitment to our communities. The benefit will also host a surprise special guest performance.
Comedian, writer and star of ABC’s “Blackish” Anthony Anderson will serve as the evening’s host. DJ M.O.S. and DJ Kiss will keep the dance floor alive throughout the night.
Artfully crafted cocktails created by Art For Life Gold Sponsor BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin will be featured throughout the evening. This year’s benefit is also supported by silver sponsor Merrill Lynch, bronze sponsor BET, and online charity partner CharityBuzz. This year’s media partners are Hamptons magazine, Artspace, and Haute Living.
Past honorees and supporters have included Ava DuVernay, Dave Chappelle, Simon & Michaela de Pury, Michael Bloomberg, Kimora Lee Simmons, Tyler Perry, Nick Cannon, Mariah Carey, Grant and Tamia Hill, Mary J. Blige, Edward Norton, Tamara Mellon, Oprah, President Bill Clinton, Will Smith, Deepak Chopra, Martha Stewart, Kelly Ripa, Ruby Dee, Donald Trump, Jamie Foxx, LA & Erica Reid, Swizz Beatz, Vanessa Williams, Christy Turlington Burns, Patrice and Precious Motsepe of African Rainbow Minerals, Serena Williams, Kerry Washington, Rachel Roy, Tim Gunn, Forest Whitaker, Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica Parker, Donna Karan, Susan Sarandon, Magic Johnson, Shepard Fairey, Alec Baldwin, Anna Wintour, Jerry Seinfeld, Arianna Huffington, LL Cool J, Billy Joel, Jay-Z, Coldplay, Gayle King, Alicia Keys, Sean Diddy Combs, John Legend, Gordon Parks, and Tommy Hilfiger among others.
This year’s Art For Life will feature a coinciding Art For Life online auction including experiences with Amy Schumer, Victoria Secret Fashion Show, Al Roker, Arianna Huffington and many more via auction partners Charitybuzz launching on July 7th, to support and bid please visit charitybuzz.com/artforlife.
Throughout the summer Art For Life partners Artspace will also showcase Rush Philanthropic Art Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Portfolio featuring artists Kehinde Wiley, Xenobia Bailey, Derrick Adams and many more, to support and purchase your portfolio visit artspace.com/partners/rush_philanthropic_arts_foundation.
Proceeds from ART FOR LIFE benefit the Foundation’s signature arts education and gallery programs, which have directly served tens of thousands of inner-city youth over the past 20 years.
For additional information or to purchase tickets for 2016 ART FOR LIFE, click here.
