This significant charitable and social event raises funds to support the museum’s programs—from free admission to educational projects for young people. Through its auction, the museum collects hundreds of thousands of dollars to fulfill its mission. The Bronx Museum Gala is an event that helps artists who are often overlooked by the global art market. Besides supporting local and undervalued artists, it’s also a platform for cultural exchange, bringing together representatives from the art world, philanthropists, and educators to foster the borough’s cultural capital. Read on to learn more about this Bronx event on bronxanka.com.
Art Without Barriers: The Bronx Museum of the Arts
For over half a century, the Bronx Museum of the Arts has maintained its avant-garde status—not just in the world of contemporary art, but also in its policy of cultural accessibility. It’s one of the few museums in New York City that remains completely free to all. Anyone can walk in, see an exhibition, or attend a program without worrying about a ticket.
But free entry isn’t the only expression of this museum’s grand mission. The curators of the Bronx Museum of the Arts have consistently built a platform for those who have been marginalized by the mainstream art world for decades—those whose voices were often silenced in U.S. history. The inspiration for this work has always been the Bronx itself, a borough with a layered culture, a complex history, and a powerful sense of community. The museum operates in a constant dialogue with artists, local communities, and the global art scene. Its exhibitions and projects are a space for conversation, connection, and re-evaluation.
The Bronx Museum of the Arts remains a symbol of openness and a true cultural leader. It reminds us that art has the power not only to adorn walls but also to broaden horizons, change society, and give a voice to those who have been unheard for too long.
Every year, spring in New York City has a special ritual: the Bronx Museum Gala. It’s not just an evening of chandeliers and champagne; it’s a true celebration of art and support. Below, we’ll tell you about three major celebrations of this landmark event in the Bronx: in 2019, 2024, and 2025. There’s a significant gap because, unfortunately, the 2020 pandemic shut down all venues and stages worldwide. Still, from 2020 to 2023, instead of a grand ball, online auctions and small, intimate gatherings were held, continuing the mission behind the Bronx Museum Gala.
A Night of Art and Freedom: The Bronx Museum Gala 2019
On April 8, 2019, the Capitale venue was transformed into a space where art, fashion, and social justice converged in one festive event. The Bronx Museum of the Arts hosted its annual gala and auction. This event set a new record, raising over $1 million to support the museum’s programs. This was the first Bronx Museum Gala held under the leadership of new Executive Director Deborah Cullen, who proudly stated:
“Our museum celebrates those whose creativity and civic engagement are changing the perception of what contemporary art is and the role it plays in society.”
The 2019 honorees were:
- Hank Willis Thomas and Eric Gottesman, co-founders of the For Freedoms initiative, the largest public art project in U.S. history. Their “50 State Initiative,” with its billboards, installations, and town halls, inspired Americans to participate in civic life.
- Junko Kobayashi, president of the Stan Lee Foundation, who, continuing the legacy of the legendary Marvel creator, develops literacy and education programs for youth in underserved communities.
- Cary Lovelace, a journalist, curator, and playwright, who was honored with the Visionaries Pathmaker Award for her long-standing contributions to cultural discourse.
Guests from the worlds of art, business, and fashion began the evening with cocktails among the paintings and sculptures displayed for the auction. The program included works by artists such as KAWS, Rashid Johnson, Sanford Biggers, Tara Donovan, Kehinde Wiley, Marilyn Minter, and others. The hall was adorned with exquisite floral arrangements by artist Eva Georgieva, and musician and activist T.K. Wonder performed on stage.
Dinner was followed by the evening’s climax—a live auction led by Sara Friedlander of Christie’s. All lots were sold, and the museum raised a record amount of funds.
An Evening of Art, Jazz, and Social Justice: The Bronx Museum Gala 2024
On March 18, 2024, the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York was transformed into a true celebration of art and culture for the Bronx Museum’s annual gala and benefit auction. After a four-year hiatus, the festivities began with cocktails set to the rhythms of the John Benitez Latin Jazz Group, where guests could mingle and view the artworks displayed for the silent auction on Artsy. The auction featured 21 works by renowned artists, including Leonardo Drew, Basir Gann, and Hank Willis Thomas. Later, the evening’s host, journalist Monica Morales, invited guests into the ballroom, where auctioneer Mattos Pascal from Christie’s took the stage. He led a dynamic live auction that generated considerable excitement.
Special recognition was given to three honorees for their contributions to art and social justice:
- Samara Joy, a young jazz sensation from the Bronx and a Grammy winner. She received her award from Kerry Washington. Her velvety voice is already being compared to Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald, and her success proves that jazz has found a new face in Generation Z.
- Sanford Biggers, an artist whose work combines history, politics, and cultural memory, was honored with the Art and Social Justice Award, presented by Julie Mehretu.
- Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation, which for over four decades has supported community development, education, and contemporary art. Its representatives received the Corporate Philanthropy Award from Joseph Mizzi, the Chair of the museum’s Board of Trustees.
After the official program, guests enjoyed desserts and headed to the dance floor, where DJ Ethan Thomas lifted the mood with a set of amapiano rhythms. The celebratory atmosphere was combined with the awareness of an important mission: all funds raised were directed toward educational programs and free museum access, which benefits over 100,000 visitors and 12,000 children from the Bronx each year.
New Horizons and Ambitious Goals: The Bronx Museum Gala 2025
On April 7, 2025, the Bronx Museum of Art held its annual gala and art auction at the Tribeca Rooftop. The event raised over $800,000 in support of the museum’s mission.
The 2025 honorees were:
- FUTURA 2000 (Leonard McGurr)—The Trailblazer Award was presented by legendary graffiti artist Zephyr. It recognized FUTURA’s fifty-year contribution to contemporary art—from his revolutionary work on New York subways (Break Train, 1980) to abstract canvases and international design collaborations.
- Ebony G. Patterson—The Visionary Award was presented by MCA Denver’s Chief Curator, Miranda Lash. Patterson was recognized for her vibrant, multilayered art that explores post-colonial histories and cultural memory. Her installations, including one at the New York Botanical Garden in 2023, raise questions about the relationship between humans, society, and nature.
- Abbott Stillman—The Bronx Creative Vanguard Award was presented by gallerist Bridget Mulholland. An architect and artist, Stillman, a Bronx native, combines a successful professional career with his personal artistic practice. His works are held in the museum’s collection, embodying the institution’s mission to make art accessible and inspiring.
The evening was hosted by Marisol Castro. A dynamic live auction, led by Kimberly Pirtle of Sotheby’s, featured works by Awol Erizku, Gamaliel Rodriguez, FUTURA 2000, Abbott Stillman, and others. The program included cocktails, a gala dinner, an awards ceremony, fundraising, and an after-party with a performance by R&B star Amber Mark and a set from DJ Pete Bitty.
Museum co-directors Shirley Solomon and Yvonne Garcia thanked everyone who made the evening possible:
“Our deepest gratitude to everyone who supported the 2025 Bronx Museum Gala and Art Auction. We are especially thankful to our Board of Trustees for their generosity and resourcefulness in fundraising, our Gala Planning Committee, and, of course, our sponsors. We also thank the talented artists who donated their works to our auction. The funds from the evening will continue to advance our mission of making contemporary art accessible to all and inspiring artists who have historically been excluded from the art history narrative.”
The Bronx Museum Gala was also a landmark event because the museum is preparing to complete a major renovation in 2026, designed by the architectural firm Marvel, which will provide new, world-class spaces for the Bronx community.
Over a few years, the event has gone from a glamorous record-breaking ball to a flexible format capable of withstanding a pandemic and returning with renewed strength. The main thing has remained unchanged: it is an evening where art and community become one, and every dollar, every work at the auction, and every smile from a guest works toward a shared goal—to make the art world open, diverse, and vibrant.