We hope you can join us for the 2026 YoungArts New York Gala on Tuesday, April 14, inside the iconic Temple of Dendur at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Cultural luminaries, community champions, visionary artists and philanthropists will all gather to celebrate YoungArts’ nearly 45 years of impact on artists and on the vitality of the arts nationwide.

Honorary chairs Misty Copeland and Glenn Ligon will be joined by chairs Sarah Arison and Thomas Wilhelm, Gillian Hearst, Michi and Charles Jigarjian and Sandra and Tony Tamer for an evening where artists’ boundless creativity and inspiration take center stage.

The night will include the presentation of the prestigious Arison Award to Marisa Tomei in recognition of her exceptional contributions to the cultural landscape, a distinction previously awarded to luminaries like Debbie Allen, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Kerry Washington, and more. Hosted by award-winning Broadway performer Blaine Alden Krauss (2010 Theater & U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts), the program will feature performances by generations of YoungArts award winners directed by celebrated performer and choreographer Caleb Teicher (2011 Dance). With décor by Raúl Àvila, the visionary designer behind The Met Gala, the night promises to be truly unforgettable.

For more information and table and ticket purchases, please contact Angela Goding at agoding@youngarts.org. 

We look forward to celebrating with you on April 14!

Gala Committee

Photo credit: Sightlines (chosen family) by Timothy Hyunsoo Lee (2008 Visual Arts).

When making a celebratory gift to the YoungArts New York Gala, your support plays a vital and direct role in advancing YoungArts’ mission of identifying exceptional young artists, amplifying their potential, and investing in their lifelong creative freedom.