Antwan “Big Boi” Patton, one-half of the legendary rap group OutKast, collaborated again with the likes of entertainment phenoms T.I., Martha Stewart, Idris Elba and Janelle Monae to provide blessings to urban kids through the Big Kidz Foundation. Only this “collaboration” took place in a way most people would never have fathomed.
On Saturday, Big Boi hosted the fifth annual fundraiser for the Big Kidz Foundation at the Mason Murer Art Gallery in Atlanta. Sponsored by the likes of Grey Goose and hosted by comedian-actor Faizon Love, the theme of this year’s upscale, black-tie soiree was Big Boi’s Art of Life/Canvas for Kidz charity event. It featured the artwork of his talented, eccentric partner Andre “3000” Benjamin. T.I., Stewart, Elba and Monae also contributed artwork and gifts.
Big Boi, who used the arts to catapult himself and Benjamin to the pinnacle of the worldwide music industry, is passionate about saving art curriculums in both school and after-school programs.
“Having the arts program is very important. It gives kids something to look forward to besides the schoolwork,” he said. “We want to provide a forum where kids can be creative and express themselves. We’re all about the arts and supporting music and theater and whatever else they want to do.”
Jennifer Lester, executive director for the Big Kidz Foundation, said that research clearly indicates that student participation in the arts reduces dropout rates significantly.
“We asked several celebrities to create one-of-a-kind canvases to be auctioned off at the height of this evening, so we aren’t only excited to have the support of the city of Atlanta with the mayor creating a piece,” she said. “We also hope to raise a lot of money for the arts, because we know that millions of dollars, not only in Atlanta, but throughout Georgia, have been cut from the school budget and the art programs and the extracurricular activities are the first to go.”
The objective of the evening, as well as the Big Kidz Foundation, can be summed up in a few insightful words: the more we’re able to salvage the arts, the more kids will get a quality education and we’ll have a greater chance at keeping kids in school through graduation. –terry shropshire
