The Institute of Contemporary Art’s annual Benefit, to be held this evening, April 10, honors Leonard A. Lauder, Chairman Emeritus of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and the senior member of its Board of Directors. A prominent collection of museum directors and art patrons will attend the event which also celebrates ICA’s 50th year.

ICA is thrilled to pay tribute to Leonard A. Lauder: a celebrated business leader and philanthropist who, in addition to his many professional accomplishments, is an Emeritus Trustee of the University of Pennsylvania and Chairman Emeritus of the Whitney Museum of American Art. Since 2000, his vision has linked the Whitney Museum’s Independent Study Program and ICA through a transformational fellowship for emerging curators. For over a decade, the Whitney–Lauder Curatorial Fellows program has brought the brightest young curators to ICA for an intensive experience that has enriched our museum while advancing their careers in museums, galleries, festivals, and universities all over the world.

ICA Overseer and Benefit Chair Katherine Sachs states: “Leonard Lauder understands the value of art in everything we do in life, and it is that curiosity about the world in general that makes him such an incredible art person and a wonderful supporter of the arts.”

Among the guests for this evening’s gala are museum directors  Thomas Campbell (Metropolitan Museum of Art), Derek Gillman (Barnes Foundation), Claudia Gould (The Jewish Museum), Glenn Lowry (MoMA), and Adam Weinberg (Whitney Museum of American Art). Members of the greater Philadelphia community of art supporters include, among many others, Jill and Sheldon Bonovitz, Lynne and Harold Honickman, Christina Weiss Lurie, and Katherine and Keith Sachs. University of Pennsylvania President Dr. Amy Gutmann will be in attendance and deliver remarks.

The ICA Whitney-Lauder program will be highlighted this evening by a special presentation recognizing Mr. Lauder’s contributions, with opening remarks by ICA Director Amy Sadao. A video highlighting the Fellows program will be followed by a gala dinner. Katherine Sachs chaired the Benefit, with William P. Lauder and B.Z. Schwartz as Co-chairs. All proceeds from this event support ICA’s exhibitions and programs.