This year’s gala is going to be a blockbuster! Held on May 6 from 6-9:30PM inside downtown’s Violet Crown multiplex, the event will showcase sponsors on the mall marquee, welcome guests with a red carpet entrance, amp up the drama with a theater-staged auction, and feature Oscar-worthy fare from The Catering Outfit.

Gala tickets and sponsored rows (on sale March 26!) include food, drinks, live and silent art auctions, and a nail-biter of a raffle. Proceeds go to powering our programs for Charlottesville area artists.

At The Violet Crown from 6-9:30PM on May 6, 2026
6-7:30PM ► Cocktail Hour, Silent Auction Bidding
Drinks and plentiful hors d'oeuvres served. While this year’s event isn’t a seated dinner, The Catering Outfit is bringing us a menu full of delicious bites (bacon-wrapped dates, papas bravas, ricotta crackers, duck tacos, and beef carpaccio to name a few*).
*Menu subject to change.
7:30-9PM ► Live Auction & Program 🎨
Complimentary popcorn served.
9-11PM ► After Party, Silent Auction Ends 🛎️
Silent Auction continues until 9:30. Drinks, appetizers, and desserts served until 11.
🎟️ All dinner attendees receive a bid number. Tickets and sponsored rows are on sale 3/26!
📣 To bid on artwork without a dinner ticket, you will need a proxy bidding number to bid. $25 tickets to bid on work by proxy can be purchased here.
Blockbuster Sponsor: $5,000 (only 1 available)
- “Presented by” designation for the art auction, with logo displayed on main event screen during programming portion of the evening
- Red carpet with “step and repeat” backdrop–featuring sponsor’s logo–at check in
- Custom “Marquee” movie-poster recognition on the facade of the Violet Crown
- Logo printed on all auction paddles
- “Presented by” recognition on our welcome board and all relevant promotional media
- Ten (10) VIP tickets, including drinks (wine, beer, cocktails), dinner (heavy passed apps), and preferred seating in the theater
- Fifteen (15) raffle tickets
———————————————————————
Marquee Sponsor: $2,500
- Custom “Marquee” movie-poster recognition on the facade of the Violet Crown
- Eight (8) tickets including drinks (wine, beer, cocktails), dinner (heavy passed apps), and block of seats together in theater
- Logo recognition on our welcome board and all relevant promotional media
- Ten (10) raffle tickets
———————————————————————
Star Sponsor: $1,500
- Eight (8) tickets including drinks (wine, beer, cocktails), dinner (heavy passed apps), and block of seats together in theater
- Logo recognition on our welcome board and all relevant promotional media
- Ten (10) raffle tickets
———————————————————————
Supporter (Individual Seat): $130
- Includes food and drinks for 1 guest
———————————————————————
Sponsor a Seat for an Artist: $130
Can’t make it? Sponsor an artist ticket! Includes food and drinks for an artist whose work New City Arts has presented through exhibitions, residencies, fellowships, or grants.
New City Arts envisions the Charlottesville area as a place where a thriving group of local artists unsettles and transforms our community to work toward a more just, beautiful future.
Proceeds from this event support monthly exhibitions at our low-commission gallery, annual artist fellowships, biannual artist residencies, grantmaking events for artists, and artist-led programs, including events throughout our 15th exhibition season. Each exhibiting artist receives a $1,250 exhibition honorarium, professional show documentation, installation support, and expenses covered for artist-led programming like lunches, talks, and opening receptions. Curatorial power is held by artists and community members who select each season, and all events at the gallery are free to attend. Resident artists and artist fellows receive honoraria, studio space grants, and staff support for their project-based work. Our annual grantmaking event has awarded over $52,000 in funds for individual artists over the last 12 years. We support approximately 100 Charlottesville area artists and 5,000 community members each year through these core programs and events like artwork exchanges; arts education opportunities for all ages; internships; and opportunities to gather, rest, connect, and create.
Want to learn more? Explore our Impact Report!