AFA Honors Three Champions of the Art World

The American Federation of Arts (AFA), the leader in traveling exhibitions worldwide since its founding in 1909, presented the 2025 Cultural Leadership Awards to three champions of the art world: Christian Levett, Howardena Pindell and Ann Temkin at its annual Gala in November.

The event gathered leaders in art and culture to celebrate the outstanding contributions to the arts by these three honorees, at Guastavino’s in New York. Proceeds benefit the AFA’s Women in Art Initiative, which advances exhibitions and programs that elevate women artists.

Proceeds also support the AFA’s nationally touring exhibitions and public programs that reach millions of museumgoers across the country.

“The American Federation of Arts is honored to present our 2025 Cultural Leadership Awards to Christian Levett, Howardena Pindell and Ann Temkin – three distinguished voices whose advocacy, collecting, and curatorial vision are instrumental in elevating women artists on the global stage.

“Each of these three honorees has played a pivotal role in shaping a more equitable world,” says Pauline Forlenza, Director & CEO of the American Federation of Arts.

“The AFA’s mission is to propel art exhibitions to communities far and wide, so that people may benefit from broader access to art – especially artworks from underrepresented voices. It is especially meaningful that the AFA’s signature event pays homage to this mission by honoring these three champions of the art world,” adds Forlenza.

The marquee annual event brought together the country’s leading artists, museum directors, philanthropists, collectors, and art professionals to celebrate the AFA’s heritage and the honorees.

Among the arts leaders and influencers at the stellar event: Elizabeth Belfer, Kimerly Rorschach, Pamela Joyner, Monique Schoen Warshaw, Beth Rudin DeWoody, Judy Glickman Lauder, Ellen and Bill Taubman, Stephen Reily, Legacy Russell, Axel Rüger, Christophe Cherix, Jill Deupi, H. Alexander Rich, Dustin Yellin, Alexis Rockman, Mary-Kate O’Hare, Storm Ascher, Bonnie Lautenberg, Helena Guindo, Kathleen Goncharov, Gracie Mansion, Roberto Juarez, Reynier Llanes Marquez, J. Henry Fair, Tina Rivers Ryan, Helen Stoilas, Sarah Cascone and Alina Cohen.

A table of MoMA curators was also present, in honor of the late Agnes Gund who generously supported the gala before she passed, including: Connie Butler, Stuart Comer, James Grooms, Ana Janevski, Michelle Kuo, Cara Manes and Smooth Nzewi.

“I feel deeply privileged and profoundly grateful to be recognized at the American Federation of Arts Gala and Cultural Leadership Awards, particularly given the extremely distinguished company that I am so lucky to find myself in,” says Christian Levett.

“It is an honor to accept this award, especially in the company of such esteemed co-recipients. I am grateful to the AFA for its support of my work,” says the artist and educator Howardena Pindell.

“I am delighted to join in celebrating the work of the AFA as an honoree at this year’s Gala,” says Ann Temkin.

The American Federation of Arts (AFA) is the leader in traveling exhibitions in the U.S. and worldwide. One of the first to successfully tour art exhibitions on a national and international level, the organization unites American art institutions, collectors, artists, and museums.

The AFA has toured more than 3,500 exhibitions that have been viewed by millions of people in museums in every U.S. state, and in Canada, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.