A group of 40 highly dedicated Free Arts NYC supporters came together as "Team Free Arts" to run the 2009 ING NYC Marathon. This amazing group of runners not only accomplished a major physical feat by running the 26.2 miles, they also surpassed the team fundraising goal, raising over $100,000 for our arts mentoring programs! Congratualtions and thanks to all of our runners and donors who made this possible! Click to find out how much we raised beyond our $100,000 goal.

In support of Team Free Arts for the 2009 ING NYC Marathon, DKNY opened their Soho store doors to the Free Arts Marathon runners and supporters for an evening of champagne and shopping! That night, the official Team Free Arts marathon shirt designed by DKNY was unveiled to guests with all proceeds from the sale of the shirts were donated to Free Arts NYC.

Free Arts NYC Board members Jacques Roizen and Daniel Ehrmann hosted their 4th annual fundraiser at Pink Elephant nightclub along other co-hosts Victor Alvarez, Aurelie Dauphin, Arnaud De Laage, Daniel Ehrmann, Monica Alvarez-Mitchell, Tracy Oliver, Jacques Roizen, Hervé Sawko, Stephane Siboni & Matt Turck. Over 250 guests enjoyed Champagne Henriot and Bulldog Gin cocktails along with hors d'oeuvres provided by Brenton Catering. The event raised over $50,000 for Free Arts NYC's creative arts and mentoring programs for underserved children in New York City!

The 10th Annual Art Auction raised over $500,000 for Free Arts NYC creative art programs. Hosted by Kevin Bacon and Michelle Monaghan the evening was presented by Calvin Klein Collection along with additional sponsors including The Shulman Family Foundation, Harper’s Bazaar and Esquire Magazine.

The evenings co-chairs, Free Arts NYC board members Amy Sacco and Mary Alice Stephenson along with Francisco Costa, Italo Zucchelli, Glenda Bailey and David Granger spent the evening sipping Henriot champagne and feverishly bidding on more then 100 works by Ross Bleckner, Chris Burden, Yoko Ono, and Kiki Smith among others. Free Arts NYC board member and auctioneer, Simon de Pury had guests bidding in the packed live auction room on pieces by Barbara Kruger, Adam Fuss and Christopher Wool.

Others who came out to show their support included contributing artists Todd DiCiurcio, Timothy White and Ross Bleckner along with Benefit Committee members Yvonne Force-Villareal, Karolina Kurkova, Hilary Rhoda and Molly Sims along with Lindsay Price, Josh Radnor, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld and Ed Westwick. Thank you to everyone that helped to make this a tremendous evening! Click to view event website.

Free Arts NYC partnered with Vogue and BMW for a cocktail party to kick-off New York Fashion Week. Guests were give the first look at the collaboration between BMW’s Adrian von Hooydonk and Vogue Italia Editor Franca Sozzani on their design concept for the new limited edition BMW 7 Series. Hosted by Joy Bryant, Helena Christensen and Chanel Iman, the event was held in support of Free Arts NYC.

On January 8th, Louis Vuitton paid special tribute to Stephen Sprouse with an evening of events in honor of the visionary artist. The celebration launched a new limited-edition Stephen Sprouse collection including t-shirts and special edition skate-board trunks created specifically for this occasion. All proceeds from the sale of these items were donated to Free Arts NYC.

The evening included an in-store cocktail party, an exhibition at Deitch Gallery and an after party at the Bowery Ballroom. To top of the night of festivities, Brooke Shields, Marc Jacobs, Molly Sims and 500 fellow guests enjoyed a surprise special performance by pop legend Debbie Harry. Free Arts NYC was thrilled to partner with Louis Vuitton for this special celebration of art and fashion.