Artful: NIAD Art Center's Gala and Benefit Auction

Artful NIAD Art Center’s New Gala at Minnesota Street Project in San Francisco on March 8th, 2025

NIAD Art Center a progressive art studio for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities will host a reimagined version of its annual gala now called Artful on March 8 2025 at Minnesota Street Project in San Francisco. Artful honors the vibrancy of the disability community and the organization’s commitment to creative expression accessibility and belonging while raising crucial funds in support of NIAD artists and programs. 

Artful’s keynote address will be delivered by Ann Temkin the Marie-Josée and Henry Kravis Chief Curator of Painting and Sculpture at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. A revered voice in the contemporary art world and a champion for inclusive exhibitions Temkin is the curator of the exhibition Projects: Marlon Mullen on view at MoMA through April 20 2025. 

Bidding on pieces in Artful’s Virtual Silent Auction begins on February 14th and continues virtually through March 8 2025. The Silent Auction will feature over 50 pieces including paintings prints sculptures ceramics and fiber art all by NIAD artists that were selected by notable arts leaders in the Bay Area and beyond: Margot Norton Chief Curator Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA); Daisy Nam Zlot Family Director and Chief Curator of the Wattis Institute at California College of the Arts; Carin Adams Senior Curator of Art Oakland Museum of California Art (OMCA); Zully Adler Director Further Triennial; Bridget Donahue Founder and Director Bridget Donahue Gallery NY; and Lucy Zimmerman Art Marketing and Partnerships Director NIAD. 

In addition to a seated family-style dinner with creatives and fellow champions of NIAD buying a ticket to Artful gets attendees access to the Live Auction—an extraordinary opportunity to collect works from celebrated contemporary artists while supporting NIAD’s mission. This year’s auction features an incredible lineup of artists whose work is held in major collections and institutions and shown worldwide: Marlon Mullen Arstanda Billy White Sylvia Fragoso Karen May Alicia McCarthy Arleene Correa Valencia Julia Goodman Emma Kohlmann Muzae Sesay and Maria Guzmán Capron. We are honored to include their work celebrating their artistry and impact. Three of these artists—Marlon Mullen Alicia McCarthy and Maria Guzmán Capron—are SECA Award winners a prestigious honor from SFMOMA.

A VIP ticket to the event will grant attendees exclusive access to a first look at INDEX a group exhibition at Casemore Gallery curated by NIAD’s Lucy Zimmerman along with drinks and hors d'oeuvres. The exhibition features early prints and paintings by Mullen alongside fellow NIAD artists and others–including Corita Kent Christopher Knowles Chris Johanson and Sahar Khoury– whose practices center formal experimentation engage the circulation of imagery and text through print media and above all reflect the artist’s relationship to and reverence for other artists. A portion of the proceeds from sales in the exhibition will be donated to NIAD. INDEX will be on view at Casemore Gallery through April 26 2025. 

WHEN

March 8 2025

5:30-7:00 PM: VIP Cocktail Hour and Casemore Gallery exhibition preview

7:00-9:00 PM: Main Event including dinner and Live Auction

WHERE

Minnesota Street Project 1275 Minnesota St San Francisco CA 94107

TICKETS

$300 VIP Cocktail Hour + General Admission (limited quantity available)

$225 Individual Ticket for General Admission. 

Tickets are available for purchase here: https://givebutter.com/c/Artful2025

SILENT AUCTION

https://givebutter.com/c/Artful2025/auction/categories/32022/silent-auction 

SPONSORSHIPS

Click Sponsors//Tickets button via the above link here for details. For further information or questions contact Rebecca Teague Development Director: [email protected]

EVENT ACCESSIBILITY

The event will take place in the atrium of Minnesota Street Project a single-level building with step-free entry. The sidewalk includes multiple curb cut-outs and is wheelchair accessible. While the building does not have automatic doors staff will be stationed at the entrance at all times to provide assistance. Restrooms are accessible to individuals using mobility devices and are gender-neutral. Street parking is available and the venue is accessible via public transportation.

Spanish language interpretation ASL interpretation and CART are available upon request. If either of these services would be of use please let us know by February 21 2025 and we will be happy to accommodate. For additional accessibility inquiries please contact Chrissie Bradley at 510-620-0290 or via email at [email protected].

Host or Publisher NIAD Art Center