On Friday, May 23, MASS MoCA was honored to gather with our community to celebrate the powerful voices shaping the future of art. Guests experienced Just a Dream…, the powerful exhibition by Vincent Valdez, and witnessed a stunning selection of iconic choreographies performed by the Trisha Brown Dance Company in our galleries. The evening was filled with generosity, inspiration, and joy—from the vibrant conversation and music to the delicious fare provided by CRISP Catering.

The inaugural Art Futures Awardees, Vincent Valdez and Ruby Lerner, reminded all in attendance that building the future we want, and need, requires staying true to vision, to purpose, and to one another. Their words, artistry, and action served as both a challenge and an invitation to imagine boldly.

Together, $100,000 was raised in the room in honor of the awardees and in support of the Art Futures Fund, bringing the total to a remarkable $500,000. This fund ensures MASS MoCA’s ability to continue its unique practice of investing directly in art and artists through the funding of new commissions, exhibitions, and programming.

MASS MoCA extends deep gratitude to everyone who made this possible—with special thanks to the Board of Trustees, the Benefit 2025 Host Committee, the extraordinary staff, and devoted event partners who brought the evening to life.

Art Futures Awards

MASS MoCA is dedicated to supporting artistic freedom and creating inspiring conditions for artists to dream new worlds into being through their art. The dynamics of our shared world ask us all to change and adapt, not only now but also for a more sustainable future. We must anticipate and plan for the unexpected. We must remain nimble to be able to take creative chances. And we need to stay connected with each other — and to the wider culture — to enable the dreams of artists to take hold.

All proceeds of this event benefit the Art Futures Fund, which ensures MASS MoCA’s ability to continue its unique practice of investing directly in art and artists through the funding of new commissions, exhibitions, and programming.

We are pleased to launch MASS MoCA’s Art Futures Award by honoring an artist and a champion of artists who embody these values, and inspire and shape expanded futures for MASS MoCA, the field of contemporary art, and the world at large.

2025 Honorees

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Our Sponsors make this event possible. We are thankful to each of you for your generosity and support of MASS MoCA’s Benefit Dinner & Celebration.

VANGUARD SPONSORS

Kelly and Bill Kaiser
Anonymous

INTERLOCUTOR SPONSORS

Greg and Anne Avis
Alan Beller and Stephanie Neville
Kelly and Gerry Pasciucco
The Wadsworth Family

STEWARD SPONSORS

Julia Bowen and Brad Svrluga
Duncan and Susan Brown
Nicole Deller and Matthew Bliwise
Anouk Dey and Cameron Tudhope
Pamela Franks and Marco Delorme
Michael and Sandra Hecht
Jim and Joan Hunter
Steve and Lisa Jenks
‭Harold Koda and Alan Kornberg
Patrick Planeta and Santiago Varela
Ben Svenson
Elizabeth and Haitham Wahab

HOST COMMITTEE

Kelly and Bill Kaiser, Chairs
Greg and Anne Avis
Alan Beller and Stephanie Neville
Julia Bowen and Brad Svrluga
Duncan and Susan Brown
Nicole Deller and Matt Bliwise
Anouk Dey and Cameron Tudhope‬
Timur Galen and Linda Genereux
Bob Gold and Izela Minelo
Claude Grunitzky and Marie-Cécile Teissèdre Grunitzky
Michael and Sandra Hecht
Jim and Joan Hunter‬
Steve and Lisa Jenks
‭Harold Koda and Alan Kornberg
Kelly and Gerry Pasciucco
‭Patrick Planeta and Santiago Varela
Katie and Will Schmidt
Mariko Silver
Ben Svenson
Elizabeth and Haitham Wahab
Libby Wadsworth and Paul Peppis
‭Susy and Jack Wadsworth‬

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Steve Jenks, Chair
Gregory Avis, Vice Chair
Mark Simonian, Treasurer
James Birge
Julia Bowen
Nick Cave
William Cohan
Doug Cole
Jennifer Deason
Anouk Dey
Elizabeth Easton
Claude Grunitzky
Glenn Kaino
Kelly Kaiser
Harold Koda
Ben Lamb
Maud Mandel
Linda Mason
Olivier Meslay
Meleko Mokgosi
Gerry Pasciucco
Leo Quigley
Katie Hazlett Schmidt
Mariko Silver
Sheree Stomberg
Ben Svenson
Libby Wadsworth
Elizabeth Wahab
Adam Weinberg
Kristy Edmunds, Director 
(ex Officio)