The Art of Elysium (TAOE), founded in 1997, is an American
nonprofit organization
A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
that provides
community arts
Community art, also known as social art, community-engaged art, community-based art, and, rarely, dialogical art, is the practice of art based in and generated in a community setting. It is closely related to social practice and social turn. Work ...
programs and artist services. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, it organizes monthly workshops in fashion, film/theater, music, and visual arts for communities facing challenges, while also rendering career resources for participating volunteer artists. In January 2016, the organization partnered with
SAG-AFTRA
The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA, stylized as SAG·AFTRA ) is an American labor union representing approximately 160,000 film and television actors, journalists, radio personalities, recordi ...
President Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II ( ; born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, Obama was the first African-American president of the ...
's "Call to Arts" initiative to complete 1 million hours of mentorship for young artists.
In February 2016, TAOE and Rabbit Bandini Productions co-launched Elysium Bandini Studios, a non-profit film studio and streaming entertainment network established to help financially support the charity. The organization has received additional financial contributions from its fundraising initiatives. In 2018, it was reported as serving over 30,000 individuals per year.
History
The Art of Elysium was established in 1997 by Jennifer Howell, originally to provide arts programs for hospitalized children. The name was derived from Greek mythology, incorporating " Elysium", a synonym for heaven. TAOE started with 33 volunteer artists. Its initial workshops were offered at
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) is a nationally ranked, freestanding acute care children's hospital in the East Hollywood district of Los Angeles, on Sunset Boulevard at the corner of Vermont Avenue. The hospital has been academically affi ...
.
In January 2008, the organization initiated the Heaven gala, an annual fundraiser. The following year, in 2009, it expanded operations to New York City. By 2012, the membership included 4,000 volunteer artists. The organization facilitated programs at 17 hospitals, hospices, special-needs schools and outpatient facilities in Los Angeles, and five hospitals in New York City. It later developed community programs for the elderly and homeless individuals. In December 2015, the organization announced a new chairman of the board, Timothy Headington, replacing
Ryan Kavanaugh
Ryan Kavanaugh (born 1974) is an American film financier. He co-founded and served as CEO of Relativity Media, where he brokered deals between Wall Street investors and major film studios. He credited his risk-assessment algorithm with Relat ...
. In January 2016, it partnered with SAG-AFTRA and the American Film Institute to complete 1 million hours of mentorship for young artists.
In February 2016, TAOE and Rabbit Bandini Productions co-launched Elysium Bandini Studios (EBS), a nonprofit film studio and streaming entertainment network established to help financially support the charity. EBS raised $698,000 from an Indiegogo campaign to fund its initial three films. The studio's early film projects included ''
Memoria
Memoria was the term for aspects involving memory in Western classical rhetoric. The word is Latin, and can be translated as "memory".
It was one of five canons in classical rhetoric (the others being inventio, dispositio, elocutio, and pronunt ...
'' and '' Yosemite''. On January 9, 2017, its streaming network went live. The platform later featured a video series directed by Andrew Ondrejcak that included volunteer artists. In 2018, an EBS production, '' Obey Giant'', won a Webby People's Voice Award in Film & Video – Documentary: Individual Episode Longform.
Programs
Community arts
TAOE provides community arts programs in fashion, film/theater, music, and visual arts. The organization has partnered with hospitals, schools, homeless shelters and eldercare facilities. In 2018, it was reported to offer 110 programs per month and serve over 30,000 individuals per year.
Artist services
TAOE renders artist services through events, career resources, and financial awards. The organization's "Art Salon" events feature artists' work. TAOE also established four awards for volunteers, the Amber Award for fashion designers, the Tahnee Award for filmmakers, the David Award for musicians/dancers, and the Jacques Award for visual artists.
Events
Annual Events
* Heaven, initiated in 2008, is an annual fundraising gala held in Los Angeles. In 2009, the organization first presented the event's Visionary award for creative merit. The award recipient organizes the event design and curates an art installation with their own conceptualization of heaven. TAOE also established the Spirit of Elysium award for artists' community service.
* Pieces of Heaven, initiated in 2008, is an annual art auction fundraiser in Los Angeles.
* Little Pieces of Heaven is an arts showcase in Los Angeles that includes the artwork of community program participants.
* Genesis, initiated in 2009, is an annual art exhibit and concert fundraiser in Los Angeles.
* Paradis, initiated in 2009, is an annual fundraiser in
Cannes, France
Cannes ( , , ; oc, Canas) is a city located on the French Riviera. It is a commune located in the Alpes-Maritimes department, and host city of the annual Cannes Film Festival, Midem, and Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The ci ...
.
Special Events
* Cartier Love Day. In June 2009, for Cartier's fourth annual Love Day initiative, charity ambassador
Eva Mendes
Eva de la Caridad Méndez (, ; born March 5, 1974), known professionally as Eva Mendes, is an American actress, model and fashion designer. Her acting career began in the late 1990s, with a series of roles in films such as '' Children of the Cor ...
designed a silk bracelet, the sale of which benefited The Art of Elysium.
*
L'Wren Scott
Laura "Luann" Bambrough (April 28, 1964 – March 17, 2014), known professionally as L'Wren Scott,
* Tiffany & Co. HardWear Collection Party. On April 26, 2017, a Tiffany & Co. jewelry preview party, hosted by actors
Zoë Kravitz
Zoë Isabella Kravitz (born December 1, 1988) is an American actress, singer, and model. She made her acting debut in the romantic comedy film '' No Reservations'' (2007). Her breakthrough came with portraying Angel Salvadore in the superhero fi ...
and
Riley Keough
Danielle Riley Keough ( ; born May 29, 1989) is an American actress, notable for being the daughter of musicians Lisa Marie Presley and Danny Keough, and granddaughter of actress Priscilla Presley and singer Elvis Presley, and starting a succes ...
, was held at The Art of Elysium’s Elysium Art Salons in Los Angeles.
Events during COVID
While the organization was unable to hold its usual events during the height of the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identi ...
, it organized or participated in a number of alternative events and projects, including:
* DRIVEN: A Latinx Artist Celebration. A drive-thru exhibit at the Hollywood Palladium in October 2020 celebrating Latinx musicians and artists.
*
Shepard Fairey
Frank Shepard Fairey (born February 15, 1970) is an American contemporary artist, activist and founder of OBEY Clothing who emerged from the skateboarding scene. In 1989 he designed the "Andre the Giant Has a Posse" (...OBEY...) sticker campai ...
art installation. A socially distanced mural display at the Hollywood Palladium featuring the work of artist and activist
Shepard Fairey
Frank Shepard Fairey (born February 15, 1970) is an American contemporary artist, activist and founder of OBEY Clothing who emerged from the skateboarding scene. In 1989 he designed the "Andre the Giant Has a Posse" (...OBEY...) sticker campai ...
.
* Going Home: a picture show. A socially distanced installation featuring the work of immunocompromised artist Torie Zalben.
* Bourn Kind: The Tiny Kindness Project. The Art of Elysium co-produced a documentary short film about a Black-Jewish street artist who creates a mural project to celebrate kindness and foster connection in his community. The film had its world premiere at the 2022
Tribeca Festival
The Tribeca Festival is an annual film festival organized by Tribeca Productions. It takes place each spring in New York City, showcasing a diverse selection of film, episodic, talks, music, games, art, and immersive programming. Tribeca was fo ...
.
* NFT Projects. The organization participated in a number of
NFT
A non-fungible token (NFT) is a unique digital identifier that cannot be copied, substituted, or subdivided, that is recorded in a blockchain, and that is used to certify authenticity and ownership. The ownership of an NFT is recorded in the ...
projects, including Nathaniel Parrott’s “How to Kill a Wildflower,” The Futureverse Foundation,
Dree Hemingway
Dree Louise Crisman Hemingway (born December 4, 1987) is an American fashion model and actress. She gained attention playing the lead in American director Sean Baker's feature '' Starlet'' (2012). She has since become known for her high-profile ...