Brothers Russell and Danny Simmons and their Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation will join with Talib Kweli, MTV's Sway and DJ Cassidy to gleam a golden light on the rising stars of the art world with the first ever Gold Rush Awards on Tuesday in New York City.

The honorees for this year's celebration and charity auction are DJ Beverly Bond, Founder of Black Girls Rock, Sonja Okun, founder of Exalt Youth Program, and Franklin Sirmans, writer and curator extraordinaire. Not only do the Awards recognize artists and those who are significant in the art community, but also those programs which embody social awareness.

"We are giving these awards to people who are making a difference in the community through the arts programs and projects they have created," says Russell Simmons. "We hope their presence will help focus more attention on the critical importance of art education and the development of creative skills in young people."

Hosted by MTV's Sway, there also be a silent auction and special performances by Talib Kweli, DJ Cassidy, and recipient Beverly Bond. Proceeds of the event go to support the Rush Arts Gallery and Corridor Gallery, where urban youth are exposed to the arts and established artists can showcase their work.

"Establishing and maintaining these art galleries have been the most important and defining work I've done in the last twenty years," says Danny Simmons. "Their Curatorial Director, Derrick Adams is now poised to move these exhibition spaces further into the dialogue of the main stream and art world without sacrificing their commitment to grassroots artists and communities."

"As we move forward it's vitally important that we have the support and input of our artists and audiences. It is for these reasons we have embarked on this fundraising and awareness campaign," he says.

The Rush Awards take place February 10, 2009. For tickets to the event, go here or http://www.rushartsgallery.org/