Project for Empty Space (PES) is turning 15! To celebrate this milestone, the organization is excited to host its annual fête, the Badass Art Woman Awards, in splendid form with a theme of La Resilience. This year’s soiree will be held Monday, September 29, 2025, from 7 - 10 pm at the Angel Orensanz Foundation in Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
La Resilience takes inspiration from women who have created radically nurturing spaces for artists to thrive, and done so despite troubled times. These women are educators, gallerists, and residency organizers. They are mothers, grandmothers, and nurturers. They make sure artists have what they need to thrive at every stage of their careers. This year’s honorees are Dr. Deborah Willis, Chair of the Department of Photography & Imaging at Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, Ebony L. Haynes, Senior Director and Curator, 52 Walker, and Helen Toomer, Founder, Stoneleaf Retreat and Upstate Art Weekend and Co-Founder of Art Mamas Alliance.
TICKETS, TABLES AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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$1,000
($700 tax-deductible)
Priority seating for one and an invitation to "La Resilience VIP Cocktail Reception".
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$500
($200 tax-deductible)
Seating for one.
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$250
Underwrite an artist’s seat and receive a digital shoutout.
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$50
Late night celebration featuring PES artists (DJ to be announced).
$10,000
($7,600 tax-deductible)
Table for eight
Invitation to "La Resilience VIP Cocktail Reception"
Recognition in all BAWA 2025 event-related digital and printed materials, including BAWA invitation, Gala Program, Gala screens
$15,000
($12,000 tax-deductible)
Prime table for ten
Invitation to "La Resilience VIP Cocktail Reception"
Special recognition from podium and in all BAWA 2025 event-related digital and printed materials, including BAWA invitation, Gala Program, Gala screens
$25,000
($21,400 tax-deductible)
Premiere table for twelve
Limited edition piece specially created by our 15th Anniversary Guest Artist
Behind-the-scenes Walkthrough of a PES exhibition at PES FUTURES (NYC) or at PES (Newark) with Co-Directors/Curators and Artists
Premiere recognition from podium and in all BAWA 2025 event-related digital and printed materials, including Step & Repeat, BAWA invitation, Gala Program, Gala screens
Invitation to "La Resilience VIP Cocktail Reception"
Sponsoring 2 Artists’ Tickets
Special acknowledgment in the “15 Years of PES” 2025 Annual Report
$50,000
($46,400 tax-deductible)
VIP table for twelve
Name an Annual PES Artist Residency Fellowship in honor of a person or org of your choice
Limited edition piece specially created by our 15th Anniversary Guest Artist
Behind-the-scenes Walkthrough of a PES exhibition at PES FUTURES (NYC) or at PES (Newark) with Co-Directors/Curators and Artists
Artist In Residence Limited Edition Print (your choice of nine editions)
Invitation to "La Resilience VIP Cocktail Reception"
VIP recognition in all BAWA 2025 event-related digital and printed materials, including Step & Repeat, BAWA invitation, Gala Program, Gala screens
Sponsoring 4 Artists’ Tickets
Special acknowledgment in the “15 Years of PES” 2025 Annual Report
$75,000
($71,400 tax-deductible)
VIP table for twelve
Name an Annual PES Artist Residency Fellowship in honor of a person or org of your choice
Exclusive opportunity to be recognized as the Legacy Visionary supporter of a 2025/26 exhibition or public art project at one of PES’ spaces (Newark or NYC)
Legacy Visionary supporters will have the opportunity to select from our roster of programs, meet the participating artists, and receive invitations for you and your guests to a private unveiling/reception
Limited edition piece specially created by our 15th Anniversary Guest Artist
Behind-the-scenes Walkthrough of a PES exhibition at PES FUTURES (NYC) or at PES (Newark) with Co-Directors/Curators and Artists
Artist In Residence Limited Edition Print (your choice of nine editions)
Invitation to "La Resilience VIP Cocktail Reception"
Legacy Visionary recognition in all BAWA 2025 event-related digital and printed materials, including Step & Repeat, BAWA invitation, Gala Program, Gala screens
Sponsoring 6 Artists’ Tickets
Special acknowledgment in the “15 Years of PES” 2025 Annual Report
* Estimated fair market value of the dinner is $300 per person. Contributions in excess of that amount are tax deductible to the extent of the law.
To explore sponsorship opportunities, alternative payment methods, or if you have any questions, please contact Lucia Roldan at lucia@projectforemptyspace.org
The Badass Art Woman Award (BAWA) is a recognition of women/femme identified cultural workers in the art world. This award amplifies the labor of those who cross over multiple roles beyond artists (i.e. curators, gallerists, academics, writers, etc.), who are often overlooked. Of course, there are occasions when women in the art world transcend into the mainstream realm; however, those instances are far too few. This award leans into celebration and joy- it is a ‘badass’ celebration! BAWA is a celebration of women who do phenomenal work within the Contemporary Art world.