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.
Since the founding of Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation (RPAF), Rush has impacted the lives of 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, Corridor Gallery in Brooklyn's Clinton Hill neighborhood and Rush Arts Gallery in Manhattan's Chelsea arts district. Initially, to jump-start the Rush Arts Gallery and Community Grants programs the Foundation hosted its first gala benefit at the Puck building in Manhattan, with Run-DMC providing headlining entertainment. Soon after RPAF created its signature event - the Art For Life benefit and auction hosted at Rush's Co-Founder Russell Simmons' East Hampton estate. It has been a sold out success for the past 9 years.
The proceeds from Art For Life directly support Rush's education and exhibition programming. Our signature Rush Education programming reflects Rush's tremendous growth and service to the community. The Rush Gallery in the School program annually serves more than two thousand NYC Public School children and is an intensive arts education program that hones the students' art making skills, where they discuss contemporary art, learn about materials, create artwork and learn all aspects of running a gallery space. The Rush Kids/Rush Teens program offers year round instruction (including an intensive summer session), and brings selected Rush Gallery in the School students into our gallery spaces, where art concepts and cognitive skills are developed progressively throughout the program while exploring works from artists exhibited in the gallery.
Rush Philanthropic has been fortunate to have the advantage of the media power of our founders Russell, Danny and Joseph "Rev. Run" Simmons. This has given the organization an exceptional platform from which to highlight the lack of access to the arts that most disadvantaged New York City children face, and speak out on the challenges facing underrepresented artists. While proud of our successes to date, we also look towards a future in which our own programs grow to service more school children and artists who continue to be in great need of arts access, education, and exhibition opportunities.
