A highlight in the culture calendar of Greater China, the UCCA Gala and Benefit Auction 2015 raised RMB 10.86 million ($1.7 million USD) in support of exhibitions, public programs, and educational opportunities for 2016.

On 22 November, 2015, the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art hosted another successful edition of the annual gala and benefit auction, commemorating, in the company of friends and supporters, the eighth year since its founding. The biggest annual event on UCCA’s calendar, this year’s gala was attended by 480 guests that included the UCCA Patrons Council, artists, strategic partners and sponsors, curators, gallerists, UCCA’s management team, and a host of celebrities. The evening raised RMB 10.86 million ($1.7 million USD), with RMB 9.56 million ($1.5 million USD) from the benefit auction. The landmark success of the gala offers a new model for not-for-profit cultural institutions in China to expand their fundraising channels.

Since 2012, UCCA has elected noteworthy artists to assume the role of artistic director for the occasion. This year Wang Jianwei turned UCCA’s Great Hall into a site specific work titled Feelings. Informed by the artist’s concept of “rehearsal”, Feelingscombined performance, lighting, video, and sound, blurring the boundaries of exhibition and theater while pushing the museum’s signature space into new territory. Chef Dong Zhenxiang of Da Dong designed the menu, and a list of fine vintage wines was provided by Wine J.J. Guests were greeted on a red carpet by media in UCCA’s Lobby. This year, UCCA partnered with LeTV for a live global broadcast of the entire event.

Poly International Auction Co., Ltd. was the partner in presenting the benefit auction, which included sixteen lots donated by leading contemporary artists. Liu Ye’s Composition in Red, Yellow, and Blue was sold for RMB 3.2 million ($0.5 million USD), the highest hammer price for the evening. The funds raised by the gala and benefit auction will support UCCA’s exhibitions, public programs, and educational opportunities during 2016.

The Eighth Anniversary Gala and Benefit Auction kicks off a series of events that will continue into December. With support from GQ China’s Editor-in-Chief Wang Feng, UCCA presents nearly two months of screenings, conversations, music performances, readings, travel opportunities, and spotlights on design. The series culminates the UCCA Eighth Anniversary Party on 25 December and also includes a film competition.

UCCA also announces the Ninth Anniversary Gala and Benefit Auction for 26 November, 2016.

For sponsorship or table reservation information, please contact Zong Han zong.han@ucca.org.cn .