YoungArts hosted its 2026 gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Temple of Dendur, honoring actor Marisa Tomei with the Arison Award and featuring ballerina Misty Copeland and artist Glenn Ligon as honorary co-chairs. The event drew a crowd of notable arts figures including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Anne Pasternak, Max Hollein, Cecilia Alemani, and artists KAWS, Taryn Simon, and Camille Henrot, with performances by YoungArts alumni directed by Caleb Teicher.
The gala raised $1 million to support young and emerging artists, underscoring YoungArts' nearly 45-year mission of championing the next generation of creative talent. The event's high-profile attendance and fundraising success highlight the continued importance of philanthropic support for arts education and emerging artists in the contemporary art world.