TIME100 Art Impact Dinner Celebrates Creativity and Connection

The first TIME100 Art Impact Dinner convened in New York City on October 5, bringing together artists, collectors, curators, museum executives, dealers, advisors, and cultural stewards to celebrate the launch of the TIME100 Art list. Honorees shared toasts reflecting on the profound influence and generational legacy of artistic creation.

Ronald Lauder, recognized for his collecting, philanthropy, and founding of Neue Galerie New York, traced his passion for art back to a childhood encounter with Picasso's "Guernica" at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). He highlighted how art can preserve history and broaden perspectives, noting the significance of his daughter and grandsons' involvement with MOMA's International Council. Lauder also spoke about the foundational role of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in his development as a collector and the subsequent opening of the Neue Galerie, emphasizing art's capacity to offer connection, continuity, and renewal during difficult times.

Matthew Bogdanos, chief of the Antiquities Trafficking Unit at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, honored fellow art-crime fighters, attributing his career achievements to their courage and dedication. He toasted to cultural artifacts as "living breathing testimonies to our shared cultural heritage," suggesting that respect for this heritage offers a pathway to overcome division by reminding humanity of common aspirations. He pledged to continue his work in recovering and repatriating stolen art.

Artist Amy Sherald reflected on the elusive nature of influence in the art world, distinguishing it from quantifiable metrics like sales or attendance. She described influence as often quiet, manifesting in smaller moments of inspiration between artists, teachers and students, or curators. Sherald emphasized the power of imagination, particularly for those historically excluded, in envisioning and creating possibilities that open doors for others. She concluded that influence is less about accumulation and more about what moves through individuals and is carried forward.

Sculptor and textile artist Marie Watt, a member of the Seneca Nation of Indians, explained that Indigenous languages often lack a direct word for "art," yet the act of making objects, stories, and songs that engage the senses and communities has always been central to their way of life. Watt stated that for Indigenous creators, the purpose is not glory or profit, but to understand the connections between humans, the environment, and the planet. She called for a global community of art stewards to remember and support those who choose to connect through their creative endeavors.

Financier Ken Griffin, a prominent art buyer, expressed his joy in sharing art of cultural and historical significance with young people and collaborating with museums to enhance accessibility. He cited an exhibition of Jean-Michel Basquiat's work at the Pérez Museum Miami as an example of how art can spark creativity and foster community dialogue. Griffin also highlighted initiatives, such as providing free admission for children at the MCA Chicago and the Whitney, that promote equal access to art and its lifelong benefits.

Musicians Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz, collectors of contemporary art by Black artists through The Dean Collection, spoke about the "magic" and "connection" within a room full of artists. Keys emphasized the ability to architect a desired life and art, while Beatz described their relationship with artists as a "welcome to the family." They also highlighted their Deans' Choice resale royalty program, which directs a percentage of secondary-market sales back to living artists, emphasizing the responsibility of collectors to support creators. Their joint toast celebrated kindness, power, endless possibility, and the unwavering intention of uplifting one another.