Russell Simmons Raises Funds For Kids At Art Basel

Russell Simmons is doing it for the art. The hip hop mogul held an elegant dinner Wednesday night at the Mondrian Hotel in Miami Beach to raise money for the Simmons’ Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, which funds arts education for low-income kids.

Russell said that the arts has always been a big part of his life. “My older brother is a painter, my younger brother is an artist, my father is a poet, my mother is an artist. I produce a lot of creative work, so I understand why it’s important to have arts education for kids,” he said.

The evening was quite a success: one man handed Russell a $10,000 check and a piece by Fairey showing two Rush Foundation student sold for $2,000. Still, though, Russell said there is a long way to go to convince people of the importance of arts education funding. “State and local governments think arts education is a waste, but it’s the most important thing, because without imagination, there’s nothing,” he said. [Photo: Splash News Online]