Inside ArtsConnection’s First Masquerade Gala
ArtsConnection welcomed supporters, artists, educators, and advocates for arts education to its first-ever Masquerade Gala, The Golden Hour, on Cinco de Mayo, Tuesday, May 5, at the historic Prince George Ballroom in New York City.
The festive evening brought together 130 guests for a vibrant celebration dedicated to expanding access to arts education for students across the city. Throughout the night, attendees gathered in support of ArtsConnection’s mission to provide meaningful arts programming for K-12 students across all artistic disciplines throughout NYC public schools.
Held inside the elegant landmark venue, the gala blended celebration, creativity, and community with a masquerade-inspired atmosphere that made for a lively Cinco de Mayo celebration in the heart of Manhattan.
By the end of the evening, ArtsConnection successfully raised $350,000 to support programming for the 2026–2027 school year, helping fund opportunities for young people throughout New York City to engage with visual arts, music, theater, dance, media arts, and interdisciplinary creative learning experiences.
The event highlighted the organization’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that arts education remains accessible and impactful for students across diverse communities. Supporters throughout the evening emphasized the importance of creative expression and arts access as essential parts of a well-rounded education.
The Golden Hour marked a major milestone for ArtsConnection, not only as the organization’s inaugural masquerade gala, but also as a reflection of the growing support behind arts education initiatives throughout New York City.
Official gala photography was captured by Brian Hattan and Fadi Kheir.
