Museums by Moonlight Dazzles with Drinks and Dancing Under the Stars

Museums by Moonlight, an elegant black tie gala benefiting Stanford University’s Cantor Arts Center and the Anderson Collection, welcomed guests on September 14. Held only once every two years, the highly anticipated event began with cocktails under the stars, followed by a sumptuous dinner and dancing in the Rodin Sculpture Garden.

The 400 guests had exclusive access to museum galleries throughout the evening, where they enjoyed a special preview of the new exhibition Spirit House, which is a part of Cantor Art Center’s Asian American Art Initiative. Spirit House explores how thirty-three contemporary artists of Asian descent are innovating modes of creativity that transcend rational understanding. 

The evening also celebrated Artist Honoree Lynn Hershman Leeson, a filmmaker and artist who has earned international acclaim over her five-decade career. Hershman Leeson is widely recognized for her innovative work investigating issues including the relationship between humans and technology, identity and surveillance, and the use of media as a tool of empowerment against censorship and political repression.

The funds raised at 2024’s Museums by Moonlight will benefit the Stanford museums’ many educational and community programs. Welcoming over 150,000 guests annually, Cantor Arts and the Anderson Collection present special exhibitions and an extensive permanent collection, along with screenings, lectures and community events. Open five days a week, admission is free to all.