14BB AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE SUN SENTINEL FRIDAY , FEBRUARY 10 , 2017
PAMM African American Art Fund �ecep�on Preserves and Celebrates Humanity
By : Zach Rinkins
on PAMM ' s longstanding commitment to exhibi�ng and collec�ng the work of African American ar�sts . " Many art museums do not include the work of ar�sts of color in their permanent collec�ons . For a museum to be an integral part of the community , the collec�on has to reflect the values and voices of the people who live there ,” says Victoria Rogers , Knight Founda�on ’ s vice president for arts . “ Knight Founda�on seeded this fund to ensure PAMM ’ s collec�on was both of the highest caliber and reflec�ve of the rich diversity of our city . With this fund , the museum has been able to purchase work from top modern and contemporary African-American
Government and civic leaders support past PAMM recep�on .
Pérez Art Museum Miami ( PAMM ) is poised to host a recep�on for its PAMM Fund for African American art . The fourth annual fundraiser is scheduled for February 21 , from 7 un�l 9 p . m . at 1103 Biscayne Blvd . The fund was started with a $ 1 million grant equally funded by the museum ’ s benefactor Jorge M . Pérez and the John S . and James L . Knight Founda�on . It builds
By : Zach Rinkins
Last year ' s panelists
The Miami Founda�on is celebra�ng 50 years of serving the Greater Miami community . The founda�on is con�nuing its legacy of service by presen�ng 2017 State of Black Philanthropy . It will feature a dis�nguished panel discussing how to use philanthropy as a pla�orm to create opportuni�es for Black residents . The event is scheduled for February 15 , at 6 p . m . It will take place at the Li�le Hai� Cultural Complex at 212 N . E . 59 Terrace in Miami . “ This our second year and we are con�nuing the conversa�on and trying to nurture a more meaningful discourse about the Black community and our role in philanthropy as donors ,” says Marlon Hill , event panelist and former founda�on board member . “ Whether we are millionaires or not , we are trying to nurture a more par�cipatory environment for our contribu�ons .”
More than 500,000 Black people reside in Miami-Dade County . This diverse community has unique triumphs and contends with challenges like access to employment , affordable housing , and public safety , among others . The founda�on is encouraging all people to be ac�ve in crea�ng solu�ons .
“ The Black community is at the bo�om of many socio-economic issues that impact our quality of life ,” says Hill , a partner with Hamilton , Miller & Birthisel , LLP . “ We can ’ t wait for other communi�es to transform or improve our community . It is very important that we look for crea�ve ways to elevate our par�cipa�on in philanthropy . Whether you have $ 10 or $ 1 million , as the Black community grows in business and poli�cal circles , it is up to us to raise the bar on how and diaspora ar�sts to add to its already valuable collec�on .”
The program will feature a thought-provoking showcase of Kahina : A Tangled Root , performed by Olujimi Dance Theater . Guests will also enjoy poetry by Aja Monet , the youngest individual to win the legendary Nuyorican Poet ’ s Café Grand Slam �tle . Addi�onally , the museum will reveal new addi�ons to its African American art collec�on . Franklin Sirmans , the museum ’ s director , sees the PAMM as a repository for the preserva�on and exhibi�on of ar�s�c contribu�ons .
“ We are a museum so we think it ’ s important to celebrate all kinds of art . There is a lot of great work being created by African-American ar�sts ,” notes Sirmans . “ We wanted to figure out different ways to acquire even more art than we already have and celebrate it .” He con�nues , “ We believe in the power of art . Part of that is acquiring art , presen�ng art and taking care of it for genera�ons to come .”
Sirmans says art has the power to inspire people and bring them together . “ We ’ ve seen from the beginning of �me that socie�es where art and culture
we contribute to the solu�ons .”
“ We can ’ t just use our faith . We have to also use our money to solve these problems .”
Another way the founda�on invests in Greater Miami is through programs that enhance leadership development , service skills and human capacity . The founda�on ' s Miami Fellows program is a 14-month experience which uses the community as a learning laboratory , inspiring fellows to engage and give back .
“ The Miami Founda�on cares a great deal about developing leaders , transforming our communi�es and nurturing more philanthropists in our community ,” reveals Hill , a former Miami Fellow . “ The program teaches our ci�zens about their individual power . The individual power of your �me , talent , and whatever amount of dollars you have .” The long�me a�orney says that leadership can be leveraged to influence others to help advance the Black community . “ You have a thousand friends that like you on Facebook or Instagram . How can you get those friends to support what is a concern , humanity tends to be be�er . We are one of the few places where people come together for a real sense of collec�vity . We host people of many different ages , beliefs and backgrounds . Hopefully , they are inspired by the art that they see and it sparks dialogue .”
The museum is presen�ng the recep�on to give the public an opportunity to ensure that art will be at PAMM for future genera�ons . For more information about the PAMM Fund for African American Art , or to join the PAMM Ambassadors for African American Art , visit www . PAMM . org / artfund .
The Miami Founda�on Presents 2017 State of Black Philanthropy
you are doing for your community ?” Hill asks . “ How can you get them to donate more of their �me and money to causes you care about ? If each of us were to magnify our circle of family and friends , we can have a greater impact on issues that are challenging us .”
With this conversa�on , the founda�on aims to encourage and empower donors to use charitable giving to address issues that affect black residents . “ It is very important for us to u�lize the assets and resources within the Black community . And , leverage them in a way that demonstrates to the community-at-large what is important to us ,” Hill shares . “ We cannot expect other communi�es to support the needs that we have without demonstra�ng that we are willing to put our efforts and resources into those issues ourselves . “ We can do it through our churches , fraterni�es , sorori�es , businesses , and cultural organiza�ons . Our community has significant numbers to make an impact .”
Log on to : www . TheMiamiFoundation . org for more information .