The American Federation of Arts (AFA) gathered artists, museum leaders, collectors and philanthropists for its annual Spring Luncheon, celebrating contemporary artist Firelei Báez while raising funds to expand access to art through traveling exhibitions and public programs.
Held before more than 240 guests, the 2026 event highlighted the AFA’s longstanding mission of bringing museum-quality exhibitions to communities across the United States and around the world. Proceeds from the luncheon will support the organization’s touring exhibitions, which reach millions of visitors each year, as well as educational programming designed to make the arts more accessible.
A centerpiece of the afternoon was a conversation between Báez and Connie Butler, the Agnes Gund Director of MoMA PS1, offering attendees insight into the artist’s creative process, influences and evolving body of work.
Known for richly layered paintings that explore history, identity and migration, Báez has become one of the most acclaimed contemporary artists of her generation. Her work often reimagines historical narratives while examining themes of race, colonialism and cultural memory.
The luncheon brought together a cross-section of the art world, including museum directors, curators, collectors and arts professionals, reflecting the American Federation of Arts’ central role in connecting institutions and audiences through traveling exhibitions.
Founded in 1909, the AFA has spent more than a century organizing exhibitions that allow museums of all sizes to present significant works of art that might otherwise be unavailable to their communities. According to the organization, it has organized more than 3,500 traveling exhibitions that have been viewed by millions of visitors in every U.S. state, as well as in Canada, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa.
Traveling exhibitions have become an important part of the museum landscape, enabling regional institutions to showcase internationally recognized artists and historical collections without maintaining permanent ownership of the works.
The annual Spring Luncheon serves as both a fundraising event and a celebration of artists whose work contributes to contemporary cultural conversations. Organizers say support from donors and attendees helps ensure that museums across the country can continue offering high-quality exhibitions and educational experiences to diverse audiences.
As museums continue seeking new ways to engage visitors, organizations such as the American Federation of Arts play a key role in broadening public access to visual arts through partnerships with cultural institutions nationwide.
The 2026 luncheon underscored that mission, recognizing Firelei Báez’s contributions to contemporary art while helping fund future exhibitions that will introduce audiences across the country to artists, ideas and cultural histories that might otherwise remain out of reach.