The National YoungArts foundation was established in 1981 by Lin and Ted Arison to help a new generation of artist in the visual, literary, and performing arts. YoungArts provides opportunities with renowned mentors, and access to art scholarships in an effort to aid future artists.

“The National YoungArts Foundation purchased the property, which includes the landmark blue-and-white-tiled Bacardi Tower and cantilevered mosaic-clad “Jewel Box” annex, for $10 million- less than half of its market value, according to the Miami Herald.

“The buildings represent our home— they helped keep us unified coming out of Cuba,” Facundo L. Bacardi, the company’s chairman and a fifth-generation family member told the New York Times. “So we wanted to make sure they ended up with someone who could extend that legacy of community.” (via Huffington Post)

“As part of its expansion, YoungArts will add a new discipline — architecture and design — to its existing nine: cinema, dance, jazz, music, photography, theater, visual arts, voice and writing. Mr. Gehry will mentor a group of aspiring designers in the preservation and transformation of the Bacardi complex. The organization has named Mr. Gehry an artistic adviser, along with the opera singer Plácido Domingo and the dancer Bill T. Jones.” (via NY Post)

Learn more about YoungArts here.

Click here (HuffPost) or here (NYTimes) to read more.