High-Tech and Fine Art: The Philanthropy Link
by: randimolovsky
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With that in mind, it seems almost logical that savvy, tech-minded entrepreneurs would naturally be drawn to the world of fine art. While it's no surprise that many invest in expensive personal collections, there is currently a shift to philanthropic art-based investments and grants that are starting to further link high-tech with art.
Take Mouli Cohen, Ecast and Voltage Capital founder. With Ecast, a company that revolutionized the distribution of digital music to out of home venues and Voltage Capital a private equity innovation fund, Cohen has become an authority in multiple industries. And while his start-ups have generated well over $3B in shareholder value, it is his
philanthropic endeavors, especially in the arts, that show the importance of a more intangible side of charity.
I particularly find the art of the 20th Century masters a fantastic study in line, color and emotion,” Cohen says. “Miro, Picasso, Matisse and Calder make up a class that has attracted my attention and investment. Not only do the intellectual aspects of their work hold importance for me, but as you consider the neurobiology of human sight and perception, and how their art is processed by our visual systems, you gain an even greater understanding and
appreciation of their work.”
This interest in art has led Cohen to invest heavily in California's public art programs. A former resident of San Francisco, he has donated funds and gifted grants to organizations including the Oakland School for the Arts, the Asian Art Museum, the SF MoMA, the deYoung Museum and the Legion of Honor.
At the deYoung, Cohen"s contribution goes directly to a younger generation of would-be art lovers. “Working in conjunction with museums, I hope that my grants have enhanced the unique educational programs that support art and cultural history in California's public schools by supporting classroom initiatives that directly link the museum's collections with the public school curriculum,” Cohen explains.
So why wouldn't Cohen, who is so intimately involved in high-tech innovation, concentrate more on science-based contributions for students? Ultimately, he feels that artʼs powerful combination of visual interest and emotional investment can lead to a type of creativity that is good for both humanity and business.
“I wholeheartedly support a mission that contributes to a diverse global audience in discovering the unique material, aesthetic, and intellectual achievements of different cultures and the ways they are able to express themselves,” Cohen says. “Especially in a time of economic crisis, when art programs are routinely cut, I want to make sure that
innovation and creativity are nurtured as much as possible. Business and science will benefit from these efforts in the long run.”
Other forms of creative expression are not far behind. To this end, Cohen has become involved with the Russian Arts Foundation to sponsor conductor Carlo Ponti's debut disc with the world renowned Russian National Orchestra (RNO), to be released December 2nd on PentaTone Classics.
Cohen and his wife Stacy, were longtime fans of the Orchestra. ”The connection between classical music, culture, and society is a powerful one,” Cohen says. ”We made our first gift to the Russian Arts Foundation in 2003, a concert that offered underprivileged children the opportunity to experience the RNO first hand and we are proud to help make Maestro Pontiʼs first recording possible, and once again share this magnificent music with the world.”
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About the Author
Randi Molovsky is a writer currently living in New York City.
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