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(AllHipHop News) A number of executives and artists turned out to support hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, who hosted an annual gala for his Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation.

Russell Simmons and his brother Danny, hosted the 2011 Gold Rush Awards, which were held at the Bombay Sapphire East House of Imagination in New York tonight (October 19).

“Art education really changes people’s lives,” Russell Simmons told AllHipHop.com. “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.”

The event was held to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Simmons’s Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation.

Over 2,000 students have benefitted from the four different galleries the foundation operates, in four different schools in New York.

Danny Simmons told AllHipHop.com that the foundation was expanding

“We’ve been doing this a long time,” Danny Simmons told AllHipHop.com “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.”

Danny Simmons said that exhibits were being planned in Dubai, South Africa, and Ethiopia.

The event also honored Sherry Bronfman, who was given an award by the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, for her longterm work with the organization in the art community.