Whitney’s Art Party Reimagines Studio 54: Museum Becomes ‘Studio 99’ for One Night
December 20, 2024
The Whitney Museum of American Art will transform its Renzo Piano building into "Studio 99" for a vibrant homage to 1970s disco culture this January. The annual Art Party, set for January 28, 2025, draws inspiration from a defining moment in New York nightlife: the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's electrifying performance at Studio 54's opening night in 1977.
An impressive roster of co-chairs leads this year's celebration, including acclaimed artist Christine Sun Kim, whose forthcoming survey "All Day All Night" opens at the Museum on February 8, and downtown legend Tabboo!, currently featured in "Shifting Landscapes." They are joined by Whitney Contemporaries Steven Beltrani, Micaela Erlanger, and Alexander Hankin in crafting an evening that promises to merge artistic excellence with infectious energy.
From 8:30 PM to midnight, the museum will pulse with 70s-inspired revelry. The Kenneth C. Griffin Hall will serve as the evening's social nucleus, offering craft cocktails, signature mocktails, and passed bites, while guests explore the soon-to-close "Edges of Ailey" exhibition. Made possible by Aesop, Cynthia Rowley, and Maestro Dobel® Tequila, the evening seamlessly blends cultural appreciation with celebration.
Beneath the evening's celebratory veneer lies a vital cultural mission. Proceeds fuel the Whitney's Independent Study Program, which has shaped American artistic discourse since 1968. The program, a proving ground for emerging voices in studio art, curatorial practice, and critical theory, reflects the museum's commitment to nurturing future generations of creative talent.
The Whitney Contemporaries have crafted multiple ways to participate in this cultural moment. Standard tickets are available at $275 ($225 for Whitney Contemporaries members), while the Artist Sponsor tier at $525 ($475 for members) supports complimentary artist attendance and includes VIP entry. For those seeking deeper engagement with the museum, combination packages offering annual Whitney Contemporaries membership and party tickets start at $775. The thoughtful structure transforms a party into a platform for artistic support, embodying the Whitney's tradition of innovation within the institutional framework of American art.
For tickets and more information, visit whitney.org/artparty. All attendees must be 21 or older with valid ID, and tickets are nonrefundable.
