Shakira Is the Harvard Foundation's 2011 Artist of the Year

Shakira Is the Harvard Foundation's 2011 Artist of the Year

2011 NRJ Music Awards  
NRJ Music Awards 2011. (Bauer Griffin)

Shakira is set to receive the Harvard Foundation's "most prestigious medal” this year, in recognition of her music and charity work. The award will be presented at the annual Cultural Rhythms festival, which is held at Sanders Theatre on the grounds of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on February 26.

Acknowledging the world's most celebrated artists, scientists and leaders for their humanitarian efforts, the initiative is the college’s center for intercultural arts and sciences.

The foundation's director S. Allen Counter said Shakira had been chosen to receive the accolade this year because of her musical contributions to culture and her work helping children in impoverished areas such as Haiti.

He said: “The students and faculty of the Harvard Foundation are honored to present multi-platinum artist Shakira with the 2011 Artist of the Year award. Her contributions to music and distinguished history of creativity have been applauded by people throughout the world, and she is greatly admired worldwide for her humanitarian efforts through her Barefoot Foundation.”

The singer -- who has sold 50 million albums worldwide -- started the Barefoot Foundation when she was just 18 and has opened six schools through it.

The charity’s goal is to ensure that every child has the basic right to a quality education.
Shakira has also been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2003.


Shakira Recently single singer, Shakira, keeps herself cultured by visiting the Joan Miro Foundation Museum with her brother, Tonino.
Shakira at the Joan Miro Foundation Museum
 
 
Shakira Colombian megastar Shakira hits the red carpet for the NRJ Awards in Cannes. Held at the Palais de Festivals, the awards celebrate the best French and International music from 2010.
Red Carpet for the NRJ Awards in Cannes
 
Shakira NRJ Music Awards 2011.
2011 NRJ Music Awards
 
Shakira Singer Shakira attends the NRJ Music Awards 2011 on January 22, 2011 at the Palais des Festivals et des Congres in Cannes, France.
NRJ Music Awards 2011 - Red Carpet Arrivals
 
Shakira Shakira arriving on the red carpet ahead of France's NRJ Music Awards.
Shakira arriving on the red carpet ahead of France's NRJ Music Awards
 
Shakira Colombian Pop queen Shakira rocks the crowd at the SECC in Glasgow as part of her 2010 The Sun Comes Out Tour.
Shakira Performs at the SECC in Glasgow
 
Shakira Shakira performs in concert.
Shakira Performs Live
 
Shakira Singer Shakira performs live on stage during her concert at the Olympiahalle in Munich, Germany.
Shakira Performing In Munich
 
 
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