Navy Pier's 'A Collective ExPIERience' gala to honor two art world legends

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, Sept. 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.

“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 thenew 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.