Sarah Jessica Parker, Jeffrey Wright & More Set for ArtsConnection's 35th Anniversary Benefit, 4/24

On Thursday, April 24, 2014, ArtsConnection will celebrate its 35th anniversary at a fundraising gala honoring Time Warner Inc. and internationally-renowned visual artist Vik Muniz. Lisa Garcia Quiroz, Time Warner's Senior VP of Corporate Responsibility and Chief Diversity Officer, will accept the award on behalf of the company. The event, which will be attended by leaders from the arts, business, media, and philanthropy worlds, as well as draw celebrities from both NYC and Hollywood, will raise support for ArtsConnection's arts education initiatives for New York City public school students. Emily and Harold Ford, Jr., Linda & Mort Janklow, Lisa and Richard Plepler, Tracey & Robert Pruzan, and Paula and Fareed Zakaria will serve as event co-chairs. Award-winning CNN anchor Don Lemon will host the evening at 583 Park Avenue. He will be joined by Sarah Jessica Parker and Jeffrey Wright who will make a special presentations. The event will be styled by acclaimed designer and ArtsConnection Board Member David Monn.

ArtsConnection's 35th Anniversary Gala will bring together New York's most influential artists, celebrities, media and industry luminaries for an unforgettable evening of cocktails, dinner and live auction. Past honorees include Mark Wahlberg, Russell Simmons, Richard Kirshenbaum, Cyndi Lauper, John Kanas, Joel Klein, George Condo, and companies such as Washington Mutual and Popular Community Bank.

Funds from the evening will go to support ArtsConnection programs such as DELLTA (Developing English Language Learning Through the Arts) and our sequential musical theater program with P94M, a NYC Public School for children on the autism spectrum. ArtsConnection's 35 years of successful collaboration with New York City Public Schools has resulted in improved student achievement in academic, social and emotional development. English Language Learners participating in our DELLTA program have demonstrated "significant progress" in English language acquisition, motivation and self-confidence.

As a result of our sequential musical theater program at P94M, a group of New York City Public Schools for children on the autism spectrum, the school has witnessed incredible developmental breakthroughs in their students, including increased independence and focus, and - in some cases -speech in previously non-verbal students. The kids in this program create and perform their own musical every year and it is amazing to see how they are totally involved and "perform" when often their communication is minimal. This is a significant and breakthrough program which is receiving a great deal of attention. ArtsConnection motivates 50,000 students each year, whether in-school or out-of-school, on stage, or as audience members, to learn and develop creativity, curiosity, self-confidence and task commitment, qualities they need to become successful students and empowered individuals.