Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation

The Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation (or Rush) was founded in 1995 by three brothers, media mogul Russell Simmons, artist and activist Danny Simmons and Joseph "Rev. Run" Simmons of Run-DMC fame. Rush is dedicated to overcoming the barriers of access between disenfranchised communities and people of color and the diverse art and culture resources of New York City and its surrounding region. Our interrelated range of programs include free, hands-on arts education for underserved youth ages 2-20 in New York and New Jersey, both in our own spaces during out-of-school time and through weekly residencies in five partner public schools; the goal of these programs is deep learning grounded in art, to build resiliency, life skills and academic performance in at-risk youth. Our Gallery Program maintains two professional galleries, one in Manhattan and the other in Brooklyn, that provide career support, exhibition opportunities and residencies to emerging artists and curators, mostly those of color. Rush Education programs directly serve over 3,000 students annually, and the Rush Gallery program exhibits the work of over 100 artists every year, welcomes over 10,000 gallery visitors annually and serves as a classroom and inspiration source for our students.