CULTURE FOR ONE ARTS AMBASSADORS

We are pleased to introduce our Culture for One Arts Ambassadors, a group of esteemed artists who believe in CFO's mission, will help raise awareness of our work, and understand the critical importance of exposing youth in foster care to the arts. Culture for One Arts Ambassadors are living examples of the transformative power of the arts. We welcome Mark Bradford, Chanel DaSilva, Ross Rayburn, Anj Smith, Christopher Wheeldon, and Manuela Wirth as our first Arts Ambassadors.

MARK BRADFORD

Mark is a contemporary artist best known for his large-scale abstract paintings created out of paper. Mark’s work explores social and political structures that objectify marginalized communities; just as essential to his art is his social engagement practice of bringing art and ideas into communities with limited access to museums and cultural institutions. Bradford exhibits internationally and his awards and honors include an appointment to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, his receipt of the US Department of State’s Medal of Arts, his appointment as a National Academician, a MacArthur Fellowship Award, and the Getty Prize. 

We are grateful to Mark for his immense generosity in hosting and mentoring a group of Culture for One youth for a workshop centered around his exhibit at the Hauser & Wirth Gallery. Mark shared his journey in the art world, taught the youth ways to analyze artwork, and inspired them in ways they will remember always.

ROSS RAYBURN

Ross is a yoga and meditation expert. He is also the author of Turning Inward: The Practice of Introversion for a Calm, Joyful, Authentic Life. He was previously Lead Instructor of Yoga and Meditation for Peloton. Ross loves connecting people with diverse backgrounds through yoga, and helping individuals tap into their authentic selves through movement. 

We thank Ross for graciously hosting a group of Culture for One youth at his book signing in New York City.

CHRISTOPHER WHEELDON, OBE

Chris trained at The Royal Ballet School and joined The Royal Ballet in 1991.  In 1993 he joined New York City Ballet, was promoted to Soloist in 1998, and named their first Resident Choreographer in July 2001.  Since then, Chris has created and staged productions for many of the world’s major ballet companies. He is an Olivier Award winner for his ballets Aeternum and Polyphonia.

Chris directed and choreographed the Broadway musical version of An American in Paris (2014) and most recently directed and choreographed MJ The Musical (2022). Each play received four Tony Awards earning him 2 Tony Awards for Best Choreography as well as 2 Tony Nominations for Best Direction.  Chris also received and an Outer Critics Award for Best Choreography and Direction for An American in Paris.

Chris was the recipient of the Culture for One Inspiration Award, the honoree at the 2023 Annual Benefit. Chris is a living example of the transformative power of the arts.

CHANEL DaSILVA

Chanel is the Co-founder of MOVE|NYC|, an arts and social justice organization whose mission is to create greater diversity and equity in the dance profession and beyond. Chanel is a celebrated choreographer and is the recipient of the 2011 Princess Grace Award and the 2008 Martha Hill Prize. Chanel is a graduate of LaGuardia HS, was named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts, and received her BFA from The Juilliard School. She teaches throughout the United States, including workshops and seminars at NYU, SUNY Purchase, The Juilliard School, and Harvard University.

We are grateful to Chanel for becoming part of the Culture for One family. Chanel is an embodiment of Culture for One’s mission, the transformative power of the arts, and the importance of art being accessible to all people.

ANJ SMITH

Anj’s paintings span and integrate portraiture, landscape, and still-life. Her work explores issues of gender, ecology, anxiety, and eroticism. Anj’s art has been exhibited at institutions around the world and is displayed in leading international museums including The Victoria and Albert Museum, London; The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; The Roberts Institute of Art, London; and the Sara Hildén Art Museum, Tampere. 

We thank Anj for generously hosting Culture for One youth at a private tour of her work, followed by a Q&A at Hauser & Wirth Gallery, New York. 

MANUELA WIRTH

Manuela is Chairwoman and President of Hauser & Wirth, a gallery that has built a reputation for its dedication to artists and support of visionary artistic projects worldwide. Manuela is a long-term benefactor of educational initiatives and women’s causes. These include Apoyo y Vida, a non-profit organization for young mothers and their children in Guadalajara, Mexico, and Nest Global, an organization that delivers preschool education in refugee camps, migrant shelters, and communities experiencing poverty and hardship. 

Culture for One’s relationship with Hauser & Wirth and Manuela has benefited our youth in many ways, from internships with artist Mark Bradford to a private showing and Q&A with Anj Smith. Thank you, Manuela.