Each year, the Whitney Museum gives out an "American Art Award," an original piece of artwork commissioned by an American artist in the Whitney's permanent collection, for sustained commitment to the artistic and cultural heritage of the arts in America. This year's honorees included our own Peter Brant, The Henry Luce Foundation and Ogilvy & Mather, who were presented with an award created by Nicole Eisenman at a special dinner last night. The event raised over $1.5 million, providing support for the Whitney Museum's Independent Study Program and other Whitney educational initiatives.

Among the noteable guests were: Whitney Director Adam D. Weinberg, Co-Chairs Vanessa and Henry Cornell, Susan and John Hess, Brooke and Daniel Neidich along with Andre Balazs, the Brant family, Mary Boone, Thomas Campbell, David Carey, Joanne Leonhardt Cassullo,  Paula Cooper, Evelyn de Rothschild, Lynn de Rothschild,  Diane Von Furstenberg, John McEnroe & Patty Smyth, Laure Tisch, Jamie Tisch, and Stefano Tonchi.