Michelle Williams, Julianne Moore, and More Gathered at the Creative Time Gala

The resonance of Creative Time’s public art projects is profound. For nearly 50 years, Creative Time has bolstered the careers of top contemporary artists by proudly displaying their commissioned work around New York City. From Sophie Calle to Kara Walker to Nick Cave to Duke Riley, Creative Time has installed marvelous projects for the public to enjoy.

To celebrate 49 years of service, Creative Time hosted their annual gala, a chic dinner party thrown in partnership with Bottega Veneta. Held at the cavernous and contemporary Skylight Essex Crossing, the gala welcomed guests like Michelle Williams, Julianne Moore, and Kate Young, all of whom wore Bottega Veneta. On the eve of the gala, Creative Time Executive Director Justine Ludwig told Vogue, “I hope guests tonight feel joy and community and a shared belief in the role of art to transform society for the better.”

The event started with a fabulous cocktail party. Attendees, who dressed mostly in black and beige with festive heels and gold baubles, toasted with Vivanterre wine among large bouquets of autumnal leaves. Following the cocktail hour, guests like Hannah Bronfman, Linda Fargo, Waris Ahluwalia, and Willie Norris mosied over to the seated dinner. Two sets of long tables framed by black balloon arches punctuated the venue. Tablescapes of maroon calla lilies, tall candles, and black dominoes served as the foreground for the supper soirée. Following dinner, a revelrous dance party erupted with New Red Order installations throughout the venue.

Many artists in attendance collaborated with Creative Time over the years, including Pedro Reyes, honorees New Red Order, and honoree Rick Lowe. “Creative Time has always been the marker with which I measure the respect of alternative art practices, so to be receiving an award from them truly validates my work I’ve been doing for decades,” Lowe told Vogue. One new way in which Creative Time is supporting alternative and socially engaged art is through a newly announced fellowship for artists creating social change in New York City.

The gala’s milieu centered around the mission of supporting groundbreaking artists. Actor and Co-Chair Jeremy Strong told Vogue, “I appreciate Creative Time’s central tenets. It’s that art matters, artists’ voices are important in shaping cultural discourse and society, and putting those voices and art in public spaces is important.” Gala honoree and Creative Time Board Chair Jon Neidich shared a similar sentiment, telling Vogue, “Creative Time’s goal is to make sure that the artist’s voice continues to be heard, and that the artist’s voice is an integral part of sculpting the message of society.” On the occasion of this New York gala, Creative Time’s message came through loud clear: amplify artists’ voices.