On Monday night, block party season got an early kickoff courtesy of the New York Academy of Art.
A jazz band kept the artfully dressed Tribeca Ball crowd — and curious onlookers across the street —entertained as guests lined the Franklin Street sidewalk, inching closer to the main event as stilt walkers ushered them inside.
“She brought dessert, I brought dinner,” quipped one guest, holding a golden fish-shaped bag as Carla Shen walked by with a cake-shaped clutch.
Before the evening’s actual dinner, Will Cotton, Rose Dergan, Dustin Yellin, Nicole Miller, Brynn Whitfield and more explored the school’s upper floors, where students were stationed in their studio spaces with work on display — and in some cases, were mid-creation.
Rose Dergen, Will Cotton and Carla Shen.
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The evening honored Alan Cumming, alongside Eileen Guggenheim and Russell Wilkinson.
“We are living in a time where both the arts in general and education itself — and learning — is under threat, and is so looked down upon and not encouraged,” Cumming said of his support for the New York Academy of Art. “I’ve always loved the fact that this school is about going back to traditional forms and ensuring a rounded education about the fine arts,” he added. “So many people get so much pleasure from the arts and sadly in this country, it’s not supported by the government. So it’s our duty to do that work.”
Asked what qualities he’s drawn to most within the arts, Cumming noted a commitment to vulnerability and authenticity. “In whatever way that manifests itself, I think that’s what I respond to,” he said. “Truth, authenticity and idiosyncrasy are my catnip.”
Last year’s Tribeca Ball marked a changing of the guard, as David Kratz stepped down as Academy president, and Paul R. Provost stepped into the role.
“ The highlight for me has been getting to know the students. The students are just extraordinary,” said Provos, marking his first year on the job.
“The through line of all of this is creativity. Alan is fearless with his creativity,” Provost added, highlighting the contributions of the evening’s honorees, from Guggenheim and Wilkinson’s four-plus decade involvement to Cumming’s enthusiastic support.
“The Academy is about creativity and what our artists do, and celebrating emerging artists,” he continued. “The excitement for me is embracing that mission and that vision, and bringing it forward.”
Gigi Powers, Cynthia Rowley and Kit Keenan.
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