On September 10, more than 300 guests gathered at the Brooklyn Museum for the Yellow Ball, hosted by American Express and its Platinum Card Creative Director Pharrell Williams. The evening, which benefited Young Audiences Arts for Learning, was named and inspired by Williams, who explained the theme to attendees: “Yellow is the color of creativity and curiosity. It serves as a representation of the bright light we are shining on the need for arts education and its incredible power to paint a brighter future for us all.”
The night featured a multi-room art experience by Daniel Arsham of Snarkitecture, performances from magician and endurance artist David Blaine, and musical performances by Missy Elliott, A$AP Ferg, and DJ Stretch Armstrong. Guests arrived on a yellow “red” carpet.
In January, the National YoungArts Foundation in Miami held its largest annual fund-raiser, the Backyard Ball. The evening honored Academy Award-winning playwright and YoungArts master teacher Tarell Alvin McCraney with the 2018 Arison Alumni Award and featured a cocktail reception and seated dinner catered by Starr Catering Group. The benefit raised more than $1.5 million to support aspiring and emerging artists.
