Ronson, Chapman Receive Arts Leadership Award

On October 29th, Mark Ronson and Georgina Chapman received the Arts Leadership Award presented by Music Unites and the Young Patrons of Lincoln Center (YPLC) at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall. The award was given to Zac Posen last year. The Last King of Scotland actress Kerry Washington presented the award to Chapman and break-out indie singer Santigold presented the award to Ronson.

The short award ceremony was followed by a live set by singer Daniel Merriweather whose upcoming February release "Love and War" was produced by Ronson. Merriweather plugged his album during interludes and made the crowd chuckle with jokes about how he felt underdressed.

Ronson is best known for his Grammy-winning production on Amy Winehouse's 2006 release "Back To Black" as well as his 2007 solo album "Version." He is now in the studio helping produce Duran Duran's next album. Despite the award and much critical acclaim, it seemed the event served as more of an introduction to Ronson's work than a salute for most attendees.

Georgina Chapman, wife of film producer Harvey Weinstein, is the co-founder and designer for Marchesa along with Keren Craig. Chapman is also daughter to Brian Chapman, the owner of the organic coffee company Percol.

Upon receiving his award, Ronson joked, "everybody always thanks Harvey Weinstein when they accept awards and I feel like I should too."

Event sponsor, Music Unites, is a NYC-based charity that supports music education programs in under-served communities. Their first major initiative is to fund a youth choir of students with representative from each New York City borough. Music Unites last event was held at the United Nations and featured a performance by Chinese pianist, Lang Lang. The event commemorated the anniversary of the 64th anniversary of the United Nations Charter.

Photos via Patrick McMullan

• • • • The Ronson siblings: Samantha, Mark, and Charlotte