Russell Simmons
announce
ART FOR LIFE MIAMI

Saturday April 5, 2008
At the waterfront estate of Loren & James “JR” Ridinger

A Festive Evening Under the Stars
Featuring live & silent auctions of unique art & luxury items

6pm Cocktails~7:30pm Dinner & Program

Honoring exemplary individuals for their community involvement and philanthropic work
R. Donahue Peebles
(additional honorees to be confirmed)


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.


ART FOR LIFE PALM BEACH HISTORY
For the three years, Rush Philanthropic has held a fabulous event for 600 people in Palm Beach, Florida. The host committee has included Peter & Stephanie Brant, Natalie Cole, Gloria & Emilio Estefan, Willie E. Gary, Andre Harrell, Kevin Liles, Al & Nancy Malnik, Guy Oseary, Holly Robinson Peete, Brett Ratner, Steve Stoute, Serena Williams, and Alfre Woodard. Jason & Katina Taylor, and Donald & Melania Trump have been honorary chairs; Alonzo & Tracy Mourning, Ludacris, Rena Rowan Damone, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Denise Rich, Jamie Foxx and Antonio “LA” Reid have all been honorees.

While the vast majority of funds raised through ART FOR LIFE Palm Beach have been used to address the vast ongoing needs of the at-risk youth Rush currently serves, twenty-five percent of the event's net proceeds has benefited programs for disadvantaged youth in Palm Beach County. Over the last three years, Palm Beach County Beneficiaries have included the Armory Art Center, Bak Middle School of the Arts, African American Cultural Arts Organization, Art Start, Artist Showcase of the Palm Beaches, Center for Creative Education, Children’s Coalition, EPOCH Kids Cultural Club, For the Children, Milagro Center, Morikami Museum, South Florida Summerbridge at Saint Andrew’s School, Towards a More Perfect Union, Urban Youth Impact, VSA Florida, The Center for Creative Education, Cadre, Project Leap, Professional Development, Hands on Arts Integration and Write Note Foundation.

ART FOR LIFE MIAMI
While Palm Beach has been a wonderful second site for our ART FOR LIFE franchise, we recognize that there are needy youth arts organizations doing amazing work all throughout South Florida. So we have decided to move our 2008 benefit to Miami Beach, where we will once again recognize and honor individuals for their dedication and service to their communities, but most importantly we look forward to finding more worthy youth arts organizations in Miami that can benefit from the grants and other support services we will provide in that area.

To purchase ticketsContact Marc Eastwood
                                                                                                   
Development Associate
Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation
512 Seventh Avenue
43rd Floor
New York, NY 10018
T. 917-229-7207
F. 212-997-3098
E. meastwood@rushphilanthropic.org
www.rushphilanthropic.org

CONTACT
To become a Sponsor or purchase tables/tickets, please email ArtForLife@havenllc.com or call Isis Adewale, Marketing & Special Events Associate, at 212.997.3010. For general questions about ART FOR

LIFE PALM BEACH please email ArtForLife@rushphilanthropic.org.