On Monday, October 22, KDH attended the Princess Grace Foundation–USA (PGF-USA) hosted the 30th Anniversary Princess Grace Awards Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, and presented 25 Awards to emerging artists in theater, dance and film, as well as the Princess Grace Statue Award presented to actor Patrick Page and sound designer Darron L West. The Gala took place in the presence of TSH The Prince and Princess of Monaco.

PGF-USA  also announced the inaugural year of the Princess Grace JustFilms Documentary Awards, made possible by the Ford Foundation’s JustFilms program. These funds support social justice documentary film projects, which focus on South Asian and Southeast Asian communities. I attended the glam event with my gorgeous friend Dorotea Mercuri [below] who worked with me in fashion years ago at Allure magazine and since become a European movie star!

Awards winners exemplify both classical and experimental artistic disciplines and, while still considered emerging talent, already show exceptional promise in their areas of expertise. PGF-USA assists their theater and dance studies, helps pay their artistic fees at non-profit companies and helps support their thesis film projects.

Special Project Awards and Works in Progress Residencies at the Baryshnikov Arts Center offer past Awards winners support for projects that advance their artistic development. This year, there are seven Special Projects and two Works in Progress Residencies.  Past winners of the Awards who distinguish themselves in their artistic disciplines since receiving their initial Awards are eligible for the Princess Grace Statue Award. These Awards include a $25,000 gift and a Bronze Statue of Princess Grace created by Dutch artist Kees Verkade.

Gala attendees included: T.S.H. Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, Geena Davis, Lynn Wyatt, Patrick Page, Darron L West, Paula Zahn, Renée Fleming, Tim Jessell, Anne Hearst McInerney & Jay McInerney, Buzz Aldrin, Alexander Gilkes, Alec Hammond, Dr. James Watson, John & Barbara Lehman, Judith Light, Hon. Maguy Maccario, and Yves Piaget.

The Princess Grace Foundation-USA, a public charity, was formed after the death of Princess Grace in 1982. They present scholarships, apprenticeships, and fellowships to assist artists at the start of their careers.  The Foundation has cultivated a diverse group of nearly 600 artists to date who continue to advance the spectrum of performing arts with innovative, cutting-edge, and vibrant theater, dance, choreography, film, playwriting and design.  Since the Foundation’s inception, more than 700 Awards have been given to recipients, totaling more than $9.5 million.

Photo Credit: Patrick McMullan Co., Adriel Reboh & Sylvain Gabourey