The Art of Elysium


The Art of Elysium, founded in 1997, is an American nonprofit organization that provides community arts 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 and the American Film Institute to support President Obama'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. The Art of Elysium has benefited 30,000 individuals annually, and nurtured and supported over 2,150 artists a year
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History

The Art of Elysium was established in 1997 by Jennifer Howell. After spending extensive time in hospitals visiting a dear friend Steven Hatton battling Leukemia, Jennifer saw the loneliness and isolation of sick children whose parents were doing their best to balance their responsibilities. One of his last wishes was for her to find a way to help those children. The Art of Elysium originally began as a way to provide arts programs for hospitalized children but has now grown to offer art workshops to struggling communities, artist resources, events, and charity fundraising. 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. 
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. In January 2016, it partnered with SAG-AFTRA and the American Film Institute to complete 1 million hours of mentorship for young artists.

Elysium Bandini Studios

In February 2016, TAOE and Rabbit Bandini Productions co-launched Elysium Bandini Studios, 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 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 through evenings of musical performances, panel discussions, and culinary innovations all in order to raise more money to continue funding their programs.

Timeline

1997

1998

  • The Art of Elysium received preliminary 501 3 status.
  • The Art of Elysium presents Jenine De Shazer and Henry Diltz at the Hollywood Entertainment Museum.

1999

  • The Art of Elysium received permanent 501 3 status.
  • The Art of Elysium Presents Jule Rotenberg hosted by Giovanni Ribisi.
  • The Art of Elysium finds home with Tom Shadyac at Shadyacres.

2000

2003

2004

2005

2006

  • The Art of Elysium in collaboration with Village at the Lift Sundance
  • The Art of Elysium collaborates with HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
  • The Art of ElysiumXEsquire present Michael Muller.
  • The Art of Elysium collaborates with HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER.
  • The Art of Elysium in collaboration with Dolce & Gabbana, hosted by Penelope Cruz.
  • The Art of Elysium fundraiser with Matthew McConaughey.

2007

2008

2009

  • The Art of ElysiumXCartier Love Day with Eva Mendes.
  • The Art of Elysium, in collaboration with Ballroom Marfa, MASQUERADE MARFA.

2010

2011

2012

  • The Art of Elysium X LA Art Show.
  • The Art of Elysium presents PIECES OF HEAVEN.
  • The Art of Elysium presents Sam Bayer.

2013

2014

2015

  • The Art of Elysium presents the film YOSEMITE.

2016

  • The Art of Elysium in collaboration with the Imperial Ball.

2017

  • The Art of Elysium presents James Goldcrown.
  • The Art of Elysium presents Mike Rosenthal.
  • The Art of Elysium presents film OBEY GIANT and Shepard Fairey.
  • The Art of ElysiumXRefinery 29 present 29 Rooms, 2017.

2018

  • The Art of ElysiumXRefinery 29 present 29 Rooms, 2018.
  • The Art of Elysium presents Beau Dunn in collaboration with Pop Chips.

2019

  • The Art of Elysium presents DON'T COME BACK FROM THE MOON.

2024

  • The Art of ElysiumXFrieze celebrate Amanda Fairey.
  • The Art of ElysiumXCastXEva Mendes.
  • The Art of ElysiumXLuna Luna.
  • The Art of ElysiumXCastXNyakio Grieco.

Awards

TAOE has 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.

Special Events

Cartier Love Day. In June 2009, for Cartier's fourth annual Love Day initiative, charity ambassador Eva Mendes designed a silk bracelet, the sale of which benefited The Art of Elysium.L'Wren Scott Amber Award. In March 2014, The Art of Elysium announced the creation of the L’Wren Scott Amber Award, which honors fashion designer L'Wren Scott and Amber, one of the first children with whom the organization worked. The award is given to emerging fashion designers, enabling them to donate their time and talents to hospitalized children, and offering them the opportunity to create a small line of clothing to benefit Elysium.Tiffany & Co. HardWear Collection Party. On April 26, 2017, a Tiffany & Co. jewelry preview party, hosted by actors Zoë Kravitz and Riley Keough, 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, 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 art installation. A socially distanced mural display at the Hollywood Palladium featuring the work of artist and activist Shepard Fairey.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.NFT Projects. The organization participated in a number of NFT projects, including Nathaniel Parrott's “How to Kill a Wildflower,” The Futureverse Foundation, Dree Hemingway's "On: Dreams," and Buffalo Trace Distillery's vintage whiskey auction.

Press

Forbes: How The Art Of Elysium's Celebrity-Packed Heaven Gala Is Helping The City Of AngelsVoyage LA Magazine: Meet Jennifer Howell of The Art of ElysiumLA Times: The Art of Elysium's 10-year galaThe Hollywood Reporter: Artist Shepard Fairey Partners With Art of Elysium for Installation at Hollywood PalladiumOk! Magazine: Art, Music, and Philanthropy Collide at The Art of Elysium's Glamorous Art Salon Attended by Christina Hendricks and Alicia Witt