Russell Simmons Hosts Arts Gala

Russell Simmons and his brother Danny hosted the 2011 Gold Rush Awards at the Bombay Sapphire East House of Imagination in New York last night (October 19.) Several artists and notables came out to support the event, which celebrated Simmons' Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation 15th anniversary.

“Art education really changes people’s lives,” Russell Simmons told AllHipHop. “It really allows people to think their way out of whatever struggle they claim. The first thing to be cut from educational budgets is the arts, so we must find ways to fill the void. The couple million dollars we raised is really just a drop in the bucket compared to what’s needed. We need serious financing and funding for the arts in school.”

“We’ve been doing this a long time,” Danny Simmons told AllHipHop. “it’s important work for our culture. These people are our voice. I started my first gallery 25 years ago, and we are ready to step out on to the international stage.”