John Studzinski’s view on philanthropy
“For me, the key to philanthropy is the three T’s: time, talent and treasure. So much of philanthropy is thought of in terms of treasure, i.e. money, but the real success of Genesis is embracing talent, nurturing that talent, working as a team with our partners and creating a network that continually supports every artist the foundation has worked with.”
“I believe that if you impact one person that has a domino effect on others as that one person influences more people, who in turn influence others. The Genesis Foundation has supported over 1,000 artists from many genres and backgrounds who’ve gone on to have careers and impact on many further thousands of artists.”
“You have to develop philanthropy with people you trust and like and respect”
“The cornerstone of culture is not about entertainment or particular performances but nurturing culture, education and creating a cultural legacy.”
“It’s unthinkable for me not to give, it would be like cutting off a leg. It gives me an enormous amount of pleasure to support other people’s sense of dignity and their confidence in their artistic talent, to follow the narrative of what artists do.”
“Your best asset is your philanthropy, so don’t forget it.”
“Art is the cornerstone of all civilisations, from transforming lives to building confidence and self-esteem to creating employment.”
“Give is a funny word, I prefer the word share. Philanthropy is about sharing time, talent and money.”
“Everyone should give at whatever level they can afford. It’s good for you as it’s like paying dues for enjoying our culture, but you also learn a huge amount and you get a huge amount more than you give as you learn so much about your own values. Giving enhances your inner sense of self-worth as we all need constantly to access what our role is in life. It all creates a life well-spent.”
“I love the old Puritan saying that’s also quoted on Melville’s tomb: you have what you gave; you had what you spent; you lost what you kept.”
“The arts are not about entertainment. We don’t just record something to entertain people. I’m more interested in commissioning sacred music and sacred art because [they make] a broader statement about our time. Music is a powerful vehicle and a sign we’re shifting from an age of materialism to an age of spirituality.”
“The nurturing, mentoring and creation of networks for young artists was a specific goal when the Foundation was formed in 2001, since which time it has devoted more than £10m to opening opportunities to exceptional young artists from diverse backgrounds, setting them firmly on the path to fulfilling their creative and professional potential.”
John Studzinski CBE is Managing Director and Vice Chairman of PIMCO in its Executive Office, where he serves as a key strategic advisor to many of PIMCO’s top clients around the world. These include public and private pension funds, corporations, sovereign wealth funds, single-family offices, governments, foundations and many others.
Prior to joining PIMCO, Mr Studzinski was Vice Chairman, Investor Relations and Business Development and Senior Managing Director of Blackstone Group, overseeing sovereign and institutional investor relationships and advising large, influential pools of family capital on investment strategy. He also served as head of European Investment Banking at Morgan Stanley and Deputy Chairman of Morgan Stanley International and was instrumental in HSBC Group’s buildout of its investment banking division, where he was also on the bank’s Group Management Board.
Mr Studzinski is a Non-Executive Director of the Home Office (UK), Chair of the U.K. Prime Minister’s Business Against Modern Slavery initiative and has received the Prince of Wales Medal for Arts Philanthropy and the Prince of Wales Ambassador Award for his work with the homeless. He is Founder and Chairman of the Genesis Foundation, a UK-based charitable foundation that nurtures the careers of outstanding young artists, and Chairman of Create London. Mr Studzinski serves on the U.S. boards of The J. Paul Getty Trust, Scholars at Risk, Tate Americas Foundation, Signature Theatre, and the Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies.
He is Vice-Chair Emeritus of Human Rights Watch and is Co-founder and Chair of the Arise Foundation, which partners with local networks to stop human trafficking. Mr Studzinski is also a member of The Atlantic Council, The Council on Foreign Relations and The Peterson Institute.
Mr Studzinski holds the Papal honors of Knight of the Order of St. Gregory and Knight Commander of Saint Sylvester and in 2004 was awarded the Beacon Prize for Philanthropy. In 2007 Mr Studzinski was voted Banker of the Year by The Bank of England. In 2008, the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List named him Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the Arts and Charity.
In October 2017, John Studzinski was awarded the UK Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award for the Genesis Foundation’s work in nurturing excellence among young artists.
The Catholic Herald named John Studzinski ‘Catholic of the Year 2017’ in December 2017, praising him for “his outstanding but discreet efforts to combat modern slavery, encourage greater appreciation for spirituality and inspire a Catholic artistic revival.”
John Studzinski’s Press Coverage
John Studzinski CBE talks to Classical Music Magazine about his motivation behind setting up the Genesis Foundation, available here.
John Studzinski is the cover feature in the May 2018 issue of Messenger of Saint Anthony, available here.
John Studzinski is interviewed by The Tablet, ahead of the Vatican Premiere of Sir James MacMillan’s Stabat mater, a Genesis Foundation commission, available here.
The Catholic Herald name John Studzinski ‘Catholic of the Year 2017’, available here.
John Studzinski is quoted in the Daily Telegraph’s article on the historic return of Catholic worship to Chapel Royal, available here.
The Independent produces a feature on John Studzinski following the 10 Year anniversary of the Genesis Foundation’s partnership with the Young Vic, available here.
John Studzinski writes an article for The Independent surrounding philanthropy and the impact that a new tax legislation will have on charities, available here.
John Studzinski writes for the Huffington Post, sharing his vision for the Genesis Foundation’s ‘Genesis Prize’ competition, available here.
The Financial Times interviews John Studzinski amidst the Genesis Foundation’s 10th Anniversary, available here.
Speaking to The Spectator, John Studzinski discusses his range of philanthropic work and contribution to England’s art scene, available here.
John Studzinski shares the main objectives for his philanthropy and the origin of the Genesis Foundation’s partnership with the Royal Court in Spears, available here.
John Studzinski speaks to the Tablet about Blackstone, Catholicism and his philanthropic work, available here.
The Daily Telegraph interview John Studzinski in anticipation of the Padre Pio Prayer premiere at Westminster Cathedral, available here.
The Daily Telegraph discusses John Studzinski’s investment banking accomplishments and success at Blackstone, available here.
The Financial Times writes a news story surrounding John Studzinski’s £5 million contribution to the Tate Modern’s new extension, available here.
John Studzinski’s £5 million donation to the Tate Modern sparks the Evening Standard’s interest in whether the city of London should give more to charity, available here.
The Guardian writes about John’s Studzinski, as he begins his new position at Blackstone, available here.
John Studzinski has an in-depth interview with The Times, surrounding the various Genesis Foundation projects, available here.
John Studzinski receiving the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award 2017 is reported in The Daily Telegraph here.