The Museum will close early at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb 21.

Cyber Monday special! Save 5% on Summer Camps with code EARLYBIRD through Dec. 7.

Our summer camp experiences are about exploring everything the Museum has to offer.&nbsp;

Virtual Crime Lab

Call for artists now open through October 12, 2025!

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Tickets to this year's Gala are no longer available, but you can join the wait list below.

Gala tickets have sold out!

Thank you to those who attended this year's Gala and made it an unforgettable evening. Thanks to your support, we raised over $1,000,000 for a wide range of culturally relevant STE(A)M education programming. 

Couldn't make it this year? Join the Black Creativity email list below to be among the first to know when tickets for the 2027 Black Creativity Gala are available.

Griffin MSI hosts an elegant evening to honor the indispensable and significant contributions of Black creators, innovators and artists. The night includes live musical performances, dancing, a seated dinner, access to the 2026 Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition and more. Ticket purchases and sponsorships support the ongoing success of the Black Creativity program year after year.

Black Creativity Gala

2025 Gala attendees in Rotunda below two large artwork projections

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Schedule highlights 

If you are a sponsor or table host: please provide your guest names, emails and any dietary restrictions by Monday, February 9 using the form linked below.

Guest list for sponsors and hosts

Celebrate Black Creativity in style. Traditional black-tie with a twist — guests are encouraged to draw inspiration from the vibrant, theatrical costumes of Paul Tazewell, embracing color, texture, and unexpected details. Bold details, dramatic silhouettes, and artistic flair are encouraged.

Attire: Black tie creative

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago

Enter the Museum’s circle drive off E. 57th Drive for valet parking and ride-share drop-off. You can also self-park in the Museum’s underground garage. Entry and exit to the event are through the underground Entry Hall. All parking and valet services are complimentary.

Complimentary coat check will be available in Entry Hall. 

Location & arrivals

Provide your name at the check-in table and your table number will be provided at check-in. Tickets will not be available for sale at the door. 

Check-in 

We look forward to welcoming you to the Black Creativity Gala! Please see below for event details. 

Event details

Seated crowd at Black Creativity Gala dinner in Museum Rotunda

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We are excited to announce that all artwork will be in the Central Pavilion this year. The Teen Category galleries are in the Lower Court at the top of the first escalator. The General Category gallery is on the main level, next to the Transportation gallery.  

New locations for Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition

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Friday, March 20, 2026 (21+ evening)

Black Creativity Night Out

Save the date for more Black Creativity events:

Shown in header: Cheryl Boone, Jump at the Sun (2024), acrylic ink, collage.

About the featured artwork

We look forward to welcoming you to the Black Creativity Gala! Please see below for event details. If you have questions please email BlackCreativityGala@griffinmsi.org.

Date
Saturday, February 21st, 2026
6 – 11 p.m.

If you are a sponsor or table host please provide your guest names, emails and any dietary restrictions to blackcreativitygala@griffinmsi.org by Monday, February 9th. Sponsors at the $5,000 level have 8 seats per table and sponsors at the $10,000 and $25,000 have 10 seats per table. 

Black Tie Creative
Celebrate Black Creativity in style. Traditional black-tie with a twist- guests are encouraged to draw inspiration from the vibrant, theatrical costumes of Paul Tazewell, embracing color, texture, and unexpected details. Bold details, dramatic silhouettes, and artistic flair are encouraged.

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago 
5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive 

Enter the Museum’s circle drive off E. 57th Drive for valet parking and ride-share drop-off. You can also self-park in the Museum’s underground garage. Entry and exit to the event are through the underground Entry Hall. All parking and valet services are complimentary.  
Complimentary coat check will be available in Entry Hall. 

Date:
Saturday, February 21, 2026

Time:
6 – 11 p.m.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Black Creativity Gala! Please refer to event details. If you have questions please email BlackCreativityGala@griffinmsi.org.   

Black Creativity Gala

February 21, 2026

Black Creativity Gala

Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 from 6 – 11 p.m.

Sponsored by

Save the date

Black Creativity Night Out

Black Creativity Night Out

Black Creativity Night Out

About the featured artwork

Inspire the inventive genius in you