PHOTO: Inside the New Museum Spring Gala 2026

John Waters and Jeff Koons Yvonne Tnt/BFA.com

After almost three decades at the helm The new museumformer director Lisa Phillips deserved a send-off worthy of the institution and at the end of April, on Cipriani South Street, she got one. At the Spring Gala of the New Museum, after a cocktail hour with DJ sets Stretch Armstrongformer director of the Whitney Adam Weinberg and artist Maya Lin talked about Phillips’ special contributions to the art world, and then the legendary John Waters (yes, that John Waters) led the packed room in a toast. After the words of the artistic director Massimiliano Gioni, auctioneer Phyllis Kao led a lively paddle roll—lots of work involved Jack Pierson AND Billy Sullivan and publications from Rashid Johnson AND Cindy Sherman– this helped raise a significant amount that will go to support the museum’s mission.

The guest list reads like the syllabus for a master class in contemporary art. legend Barbara Kruger, Marilyn Minter, Judy Chicago AND Joan Jonas shared a room with the artists Dana Schutz, John Currin, Mickalene Thomas, Derrick Adams, Hank Willis Thomas, Anne Imhof AND Derek Fordjouramong many others. Museum and gallery world heavyweights also – surprisingly – turned out in force, from the director of the Brooklyn Museum Anne Pasternak and former director of the Hammer Museum Ann Philbin director of the Harlem Studio Museum Thelma Goldencurator Cecilia Alemanigallerists Jeffrey Deitch AND Nicola Vassell. Chairman of the Honor Committee Chloe Sevigny (in a floral Chloé sheath that matched the floral tables) presided over a crowd that included actors John Leguizamo AND Matt Dillonwriter and critic Hilton Alsartist and founder of Pioneer Works Dustin Yellindirector Catherine Gund and various arts patrons and cultural philanthropists. Gala chair Charlotte Feng Ford, Shelley Fox Aarons, Mitzi Eisenberg, Patricia Blanchet, Stephanie Horton, Richard Mumby AND Jamie Singer Soros carried the evening along with practiced ease.

The night ended with an energetic performance from the OG punk rock goddess Deborah Harrywhich felt particularly appropriate because the New Museum under Lisa Phillips was never satisfied with the good when the truly exceptional was available.