The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) has announced the 2026 Black Arts Council Benefit, titled "A Night Out with Friends," scheduled for April 9, 2026. The gala event will honor Anita Blanchard, Martin Nesbitt, and artist Mark Bradford, featuring a performance by Kelsey Lu and DJ sets by Niks. The benefit is supported by a high-profile host committee including figures such as Simone Leigh, Glenn Ligon, and Thelma Golden, with proceeds dedicated to the Black Arts Council Fund for acquisitions, programming, and exhibitions centered on the African diaspora.
Founded in 1993 as the Friends of Education, the Black Arts Council was established by Dr. Akosua Barthwell Evans, Agnes Gund, and David Rockefeller Jr. to diversify MoMA’s audience and collection. The group remains a vital community of patrons and philanthropists focused on elevating Black perspectives within the canon of modern and contemporary art. Through exclusive programming and fundraising, the Council continues to support the visibility of both emerging and iconic artists of African descent at the museum.