Navy Pier Celebrates its Cultural Mission, Honoring Chicago Art Legends Nick Cave and Tony Karman, at Sept. 12 Gala
A Collective Experience will support the landmark’s nonprofit legacy,
providing 500 Arts, Culture, and Engagement events throughout the year
CHICAGO—Navy Pier will celebrate the artistic roots that transformed Chicago’s most visited landmark into one of the city’s premier cultural districts at its annual gala on Thursday, September 12. A Collective Experience will honor legendary Chicago artist Nick Cave and EXPO CHICAGO President and Director Tony Karman for their foundational contributions to the Pier’s cultural identity. Chicago Tribune Editorial Page Editor and Chief Theater Critic Chris Jones will give the keynote address.
The 2024 gala has already raised more than a million dollars to benefit Navy Pier, Inc., the nongovernmental, nonprofit responsible for all the Pier’s expenses—including maintenance, upkeep and security; seeding the community initiatives that provide free tickets to popular attractions; helping local entrepreneurs to thrive; and entertaining 900,000 guests who visit Navy Pier each year. On top of that, Navy Pier welcomes audiences of all backgrounds to see themselves reflected in more than 500 Arts, Culture and Engagement (ACE) programs annually. Just one of those programs, Chicago Live! connects new audiences with the biggest names and the boldest breakout artists, supporting each other in the Midwest’s largest free performing arts festival. A Collective ExPIERience tickets, tables, sponsorships and raffle tickets are available now.
“As Chicago’s front porch, Navy Pier is uniquely positioned to be the welcoming center for Chicago—a beautiful, clean and safe urban oasis where guests from around the world are just as comfortable as our neighbors in sampling the food, arts, entertainment and social experiences that define our city,” said Navy Pier President and CEO Marilynn Gardner. “With that in mind, we honor two Chicago giants who helped us realize bold, new directions for Navy Pier. We’re proud to recognize the visionary Nick Cave and Tony Karman for their transformational work at Navy Pier and their legendary accomplishments throughout Chicago and around the world.”
The event begins with cocktails at 5 p.m. followed by dinner, premiering the new Pierless Hospitality concept, incorporating local and seasonal dining with the Pier’s nautical heritage. During dinner, Navy Pier will honor Karman, whose expansive international EXPO attracts tens of thousands of art enthusiasts from around the world each spring; and Cave, whose large-scale works like Hear Here, with collaborator Jeanne Gang, transformed the Pier into an interactive work of art. Chris Jones then addresses Chicago’s cultural climate. The festivities conclude with an integrated fireworks and choreographed drone show that celebrates the achievements of these artistic visionaries.
Chicago Live! artist DJ Jesse De La Pena will provide live music along with the jazz quartet The JuJu Exchange, a musical partnership of lifelong Chicago friends Nico Segal, Julian Davis Reid, and Nova Zaii. Navy Pier tenant partner Women’s Live Artist Studio will capture the party live on canvas in the moment.
Navy Pier, which depends on corporate sponsorships and personal philanthropy, extends its deepest gratitude to all who have already contributed to A Collective ExPIERience, especially Gala Vice Chairs Cboe and Jennifer Steans and Jim Kastenholz, as well as Presenting Sponsor BMO.
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For photos of Nick Cave and Tony Karman, click here.
About Navy Pier
Located on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is the top nonprofit tourism destination in the Midwest, stretching more than six city blocks and typically welcoming nearly 9 million annual guests. Originally opened in 1916 as a shipping and recreation facility, this Chicago landmark showcases more than 50 acres of parks, restaurants, attractions, retail shops, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exposition facilities and more.
The Pier celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016 with the unveiling of the iconic Centennial Wheel, Polk Bros Park, Family Pavilion and Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion. In 2021, Navy Pier continued to usher in its second century with ongoing Pier-wide redevelopment efforts—including Sable, a 223-room Hilton hotel, new restaurants and partnerships, and thrilling additions to Pier Park. The Pier is also proud to continue providing free, year-round arts and cultural programming designed to inspire, educate and connect communities across the city and globe. Click here to donate to Navy Pier, a mission-driven 501(c)(3) organization, in support of the organization’s post-pandemic revival and free public programming. For more information, visit www.navypier.org.