Actor Denzel Washington, along with his wife Paulette, received the Prince Rainier III Award for lifetime achievement and support of the arts.

New York City - After a Hamptons summer filled with charitable galas in support of the arts, the social calendar of altruistic soirees returned to Manhattan for the fall. Such was the case in November at the 2010 Princess Grace Awards held at Cipriani, as black tied and gowned supporters of emerging artists in theatre, film and dance gathered to herald this year's recipients of the coveted prizes. The festivities were held in the presence of Princess Grace's eldest daughter Caroline, Her Royal Highness the Princess of Hanover.

Along with this year's 21 young award winners representing 20 colleges, universities, and not-for-profit theater and dance companies throughout the United States, 2008 Tony Award winning director Anna D. Shapiro was presented with the Princess Grace Statue. Since its inception, the Foundation has bestowed more than 650 awards totaling more than $7 million in grants. Shapiro herself was a recipient in 1996 as a member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Actor/director/producer David Schwimmer presented the Princess Grace Statue to his long time friend and colleague.

Also honored this year were Paulette and Denzel Washington, receiving the Prince Rainier III Award in recognition of their outstanding careers and contributions to the arts. Tony Award winning actress for "Fences" Viola Davis presented the award to the couple whose altruistic support of the arts and other charitable causes like the Boys and Girls Club are legendary. Past recipients of the Princess Grace Statue have included Mikhail Baryshnikov, Twyla Tharp, George Lucas, Glenn Close and Mandy Patinkin, which includes a grant of $25,000 to the philanthropic organization of their choice.

Actors Joey Slotnick and David Schwimmer chatting during the cocktail hour at Cipriani's.

After a 42nd Street alfresco red carpet, guests entered the stunning ambience that is pure Cipriani to a cocktail hour and silent auction that, as one might imagine, included donations that could rival any gala from Monte Carlo to the Big Apple. Under very heavy security in the balcony area adjacent to the cocktail area, Princess Caroline posed for photos with notable VIP only guests and award winners in a private red carpet area. Her Royal Highness was eventually escorted into the main dinning room by the Hon. John F. Lehman, Chairman of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA. All attendees rose while the national anthem of Monaco was played in her honor.

Grammy Award winning singer Ashanti at the Princess Grace Awards.

After opening remarks by Lehman, guests were treated to a performance from "Takademe," choreographed by Princess Grace Award dance presenter Robert Battle and performed by a member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Following the performance Schwimmer took the stage to present Shapiro with her award, which he did with the panache and humor one would expect from the former star of "Friends."

Unfortunately, at this point security politely requested that the press leave the building, so this reporter can note little more about the festivities that ensued at the rest of the gala. It is known that after the awards ceremonies and dinner the attendees did dance until midnight to DJ Clockwork. Other notables in attendance at the event were singer Ashanti, actor Joey Slotnick who appeared this summer in the Bay Street Theatre production of David Mamet's "Romance," gala chairperson Bonnie Pfeifer Evans, actress Tovah Feldshuh who presented the theatre awards and Maggie Rodriguez of the "Today Show" who served as the evening's emcee.

Founded 25 years ago, the Princess Grace Foundation has bestowed more than 650 awards totaling more than $7 million in grants. This year's gala generated over $1 million in support of emerging artists in the fields of theatre, dance and film. It was a spectacular event in support of the arts at an economic time when the arts are so desperately in need of nurturing.

For more information go to www.pgfusa.com.

Opening remarks by the Hon. John F. Lehman to the capacity crowd that filled Cipriani's in support of the Princess Grace Foundation.