NFAA ARTS Alumnus Desmond Richardson and NFAA Chairman Jerome J. Parks presenting the Arison Award to Mikhail Baryshnikov
In a spectacular “Collaboration of the Arts” which brought together 1200 guests from across the country, co-chairs Christy and Earl Powell and Susie and Bill Tillett announced that the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) raised a record-breaking $1.5 million to benefit its ongoing mission to support gifted young artists. An Affair of the Arts Performance and Gala was held at the Collins Park Cultural Center, which was transformed into a dynamic virtual palace of the arts, dance, dining, and performance. 130 Arts Recognition and Talent Search® (ARTS) winners participated paying homage to legendary Mikhail Baryshnikov, recipient of the 5th Annual Arison Award created to honor NFAA founder, Ted Arison.
In addition to alumni performances and the elaborate sit-down dinner, the silent auction of 200 items (Seabourn cruise purchased by Sam and Nadya Chapra) created as much action as the energetic dancing in the studios of Miami City Ballet. Sponsors included PricewaterhouseCoopers, Northern Trust Bank, Carnival Cruise Lines, and SunTrust.
