NEW YORK, NY.- The Whitney Museum of American Art is thrilled to welcome actress and comedian Ego Nwodim as co-chair of the annual Art Party on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. This year’s event will be headlined by a DJ set by The Dare. Hosted by the Museum’s Whitney Contemporaries membership group, Art Party is a celebrated cornerstone of New York’s arts and philanthropy calendar. Young patrons, emerging artists, and guests from the worlds of art, fashion, business, philanthropy, and entertainment are invited to sip crafted cocktails, enjoy passed bites, explore the Museum’s galleries after hours, and dance into the night. This year, bold style takes the spotlight; guests are encouraged to come dressed in their loudest prints and most vibrant patterns and celebrate bold expression in art, style, and sound.
Nwodim will join artists Martine Gutierrez and Emma Safir as Whitney Art Party co-chair, along with Whitney Contemporaries Steven Beltrani, Micaela Erlanger, and Alexander Hankin. The 2026 Whitney Art Party marks Erlanger’s 10th year as co-chair for the event and supporting the Museum.
“Celebrating a decade of co-chairing the Whitney Art Party feels deeply personal to me. I first partnered with the museum during its move to Gansevoort Street, and I had no idea then how meaningful this relationship would become,” said Erlanger. “Over the years, I’ve watched the Whitney—and this event—grow, evolve, and continually reflect the creative energy of New York. This city is always reinventing itself, and the Art Party has been one of my favorite places to witness that spirit come alive.”
From 8:30 pm to 12 am, guests will enjoy a night of dancing with DJ sets by Raúl de Nieves and The Dare, craft cocktails, and exclusive access to the Museum’s galleries. Drinks, music, and passed bites will be offered in the Museum’s lobby.
Actress, producer, and host Ego Nwodim has been recognized by Variety as part of their New York Women's Impact Report for her trailblazing work across multiple entertainment platforms. During her seven-year tenure on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, Ego created several viral moments including the iconic "Miss Eggy" and "Lisa from Temecula," establishing herself as a groundbreaking voice in comedy and earning a Critics Choice nomination for her work on the show in 2026 for her final season and just received her third NAACP nomination. She recently wrapped production on Matt Spicer's LITTLE BROTHER, the upcoming Netflix comedy alongside John Cena and Eric Andre and lends her voiceover talents to the Disney film HOPPERS and BACKYARD BASEBALL an upcoming special adaptation of the beloved video game of the same name. On television, she can next be seen in Mindy Kaling’s upcoming comedy series NOT SUITABLE FOR WORK on Hulu. Ego also hosts her own podcast THANKS, DAD, where she invites guests to be her "Dad for the Day" for funny, heartfelt conversations.
