Thursday, November 3, 2022

William Louis-Dreyfus and Harlem Children's Zone

 A video ran at Naples Art's exhibition of art from the William Louis-Dreyfus collection.  It was primarily interviews of William by his daughter Julia Louis-Dreyfus (the award-winning actor best known for her long-running roles on Seinfeld, Veep and other series). 

Beyond his love of art, Mr. Louis-Dreyfus had a passion for social justice.  After collecting more than 3,000 works from 200 artists, he transferred most of his art collection to a foundation he created and funded, with museum quality space in Mount Kisco, New York.  

The foundation is tasked with selling off the art over time and using the proceeds to support Harlem Children's Zone.  HCZ operates educational, youth and health care programs in central Harlem.

HCZ supports Harlem children from the time they are born, through their childhood and public school years, and until they graduate from college.  HCZ's website says kids in their programs have a 97 percent college acceptance rate, More than 1,300 scholars have graduated from college and over 900 are currently enrolled in college.

Louis-Dreyfus worked with Dr. Geoffrey Canada, HCZ's leader for more than 30 years.

4 comments:

  1. How great to love art and the promise that children's education offers to the future!

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  2. That is wonderful to hear, Jack.

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  3. I wouldn't have connected him with his daughter.

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  4. Jack, thank you for this great history of the Louis-Dreyfus art collection. He has made a difference in the lives of so many children.

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