YoungArts Raises $1 Million at 2026 Gala Honoring Marisa Tomei at Met Museum

During its gala at the Temple of Dendur in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, YoungArts raised $1 million in funds on behalf of its mission to support emerging artists, celebrating nearly 45 years of dedication. The event honored Marisa Tomei with the Arison Award, which is given annually to individuals who significantly impact and uplift other artists. Co-chaired by Misty Copeland and Glenn Ligon, the evening featured performances by YoungArts awardees, directed by Caleb Teicher and hosted by Blaine Alden Krauss, a 2010 YoungArts Theater Winner and Presidential Scholar in the Arts. The decor, crafted by Raúl Àvila, was reminiscent of his designs for the Met Gala. Noteworthy guests included Mikhail Baryshnikov, Anne Pasternak, and artists like KAWS and Taryn Simon, uniting New York’s creative community in support of future talent.