Known around the globe as a hip-hop pioneer, Russell Simmons’ passion for breaking new talent, particularly among urban youth, is well-documented and well-respected. What largely flies under the radar, though, is his patronage of the arts in all forms, from the turntable to the easel, and his belief in the transformative effect that exposure to culture and having artistic outlets can have on the lives of urban youth.
It is that passion that in 1995 led to the creation of the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation. Co-founded by brothers Russell, Danny and Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons, the foundation has since developed programs that directly serve over 2,300 students each year, in addition to providing exposure to underappreciated artists of color.
Expanding on the foundation’s purpose in 2010, Simmons, in conjunction with Complex Media, joined with Bombay Sapphire to launch the Artisan Series. This unprecedented undertaking has encouraged underground artists to emerge into the light and share their talents with the world through prominent exhibitions at Art Basel Miami Beach, a renowned fine art convention.
By cultivating their dreams with the help of the Rush Foundation, these artists in turn encourage the next wave of talent to express themselves – and their art – without fear. According to the press release, last year the Artisan Series competition received more than “3,000 submissions and precipitated the sale of seven works of art from the program’s national finalist pool, together totaling more than $100,000 in value.”
For Simmons, the intersection between purity and honesty of expression, and capitalizing on innate gifts, is a cornerstone of creativity in every profession. The intricate connection between the artistry of hip-hop and the art being nurtured by the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation is a prime example of how creativity and commerce can positively mix.
“Hip-hop is an art form like any other,” Simmons said in an exclusive sit down with theGrio. “The connection between good hip-hop and good visual art is that in both, artists are digging deep down and exposing to the world their hearts and souls. One just manifests through music and the other through creating visual art. My role is to help to provide a platform…
Read more: Kirsten West-Savali, The Grio
