Artists, collectors and cultural figures gathered to support the next generation of creative talent.
A Night Dedicated to Supporting Young Artists
The 2026 Free Arts Gala brought together artists, collectors and cultural leaders for an evening focused on expanding opportunities for young creatives in New York City. Held on the fifth floor of WSA in the Financial District, the event attracted a stylish crowd united by a shared commitment to arts education and mentorship.
This year’s gala honored artists Sasha Gordon and Katherine Bernhardt along with Jody Quon, the creative director of New York Magazine. Throughout the night, guests from across the art world mingled while supporting Free Arts programs that connect emerging talent with working artists and industry professionals.
A Room Filled With Influential Artists
The gathering featured an impressive mix of established and rising figures from the contemporary art scene. Artists including Futura, Amanda Ba, Leyla Fischer and Oscar Yi Hou were seen throughout the event alongside Eric Haze, Tschabalala Self, Matthew Brown, Devin B Johnson and Will Cotton.
Many of the artists also contributed works to the evening’s auction, helping raise funds for Free Arts initiatives that support young creatives across the city.
The Launch of The Sketch Project
The 2026 gala also marked the debut of The Sketch Project, a new initiative inviting 75 artists and creatives to share their personal visions of New York. The exhibition included drawings, photographs, notes and unfinished works that together created an informal portrait of the city through the perspectives of contemporary creators.
Contributors included artists and cultural figures such as KAWS, Rama Duwaji, Roxane Gay and Marilyn Minter. The project reflects Free Arts’ mission of making contemporary art more accessible while fostering mentorship and collaboration between generations.
Through programs that reach more than 1,000 young New Yorkers each year, Free Arts continues to build pathways into the art world. The gala also featured a collaborative exquisite corpse workshop created with students and the event’s honorees, highlighting the organization’s belief in shared creativity and community driven learning.
