More Than a Half-Million Dollars Raised for the Scholarship Funds  

In a pandemic year when many institutions postponed their fundraisers, NYSID decided to go forward with it’s first-ever virtual gala because we believed our community would come through to support scholarships in this time of increased need.

This was the right call!

On Tuesday, April 27, 415 households tuned in to watch a virtual gala produced by STAMP Event Management and Boatman Media and hosted by NYSID trustee Alexa Hampton, who kept the tone playful and the mission front and center as she MC’ed, in a stunning blue gown, from her NYC apartment. It was an international crowd: 93% of the views were from supporters in the US and the balance was from all over the world!

Hampton presented Alex Papachristidis with the Albert Hadley Lifetime Achievement Award; Corey Damen Jenkins with the Larry Kravet Design Industry Leadership Award; and NYSID almuna Nina Farmer ’02 with the Rising Star Award (made possible for the third year in a row by The Shade Store). The awards were engraved crystal vases donated by Baccarat.

One of the most powerful aspects of the virtual format was the ability to see inside the homes and ongoing projects of the designers in NYSID’s community as they shared wisdom and well-wishes. Alex Papachristidis advised young designers to “Constantly expose yourself to new things and you will always be inspired.” Corey Damen Jenkins said, “We need to continue to lift up our kids and provide for them the education they need to be a part of this creative world.” Nina Farmer, who walked the audience through a gorgeous Beacon Hill project she’s just completing, said, “It’s so important to think about how families are going to celebrate their special moments in the space you create, and also have their daily interactions.”

NYSID’s development team exceeded its goal for the gala, raising $501,374 and counting!

Every dollar will go towards making the best interior design education possible for deserving students through NYSID’s emergency, diversity, and general scholarship funds. Says NYSID President David Sprouls, “I can’t tell you how much we appreciate your support of and confidence in NYSID, especially in these extremely trying times.” Special thanks to NYSID Board of Trustees chair Ellen Kravet and gala co-chairs Chesie Breen, Alexa Hampton, David Kleinberg, Susan Nagle, Betsey Ruprecht and Maria Spears, all trustees of NYSID.

If you were not able to view the Gala, you can watch it until June 30 here:  www.nysidgala2021.org. 

If you could not make it and want to support the next generation of design innovators, it’s never too late to support NYSID scholarships.