Party at the Museum

NEW YORK—New York's art museums have been headlining the party scene for the past two weeks, drawing out a slew of stars for some big events.

On June 17, the Whitney hosted its annual Art Party, a benefit for the museum's Independent Study Program and other education programs. The festivities took place at lower Manhattan's Skylight, with drinks and dancing accompanied by the music of DJ Stretch Armstrong. And the event wasn't all party. A silent auction of 70 artworks raised almost $220,000 for the Whitney's education programs. Actor James Franco, actress Gretchen Mol, and celebrity children Ivanka Trump and Sean Lennon were among the glamorous attendees.

Further uptown, the Museum of Modern Art hosted its annual Party in the Garden Benefit on June 10. Held inside the museum and in the adjoining sculpture garden, the event honored MoMA trustee Donald B. Marron and director Mike Nichols, as well as raised some $2.7 million for MoMA's general operating fund. On the guest list were Mayor Michael Bloomberg, actress Claire Danes, telejournalist Charlie Rose, and artists Lawrence Weiner and Chuck Close — all of whom got down to the sounds of M.I.A. and LCD Soundsystem.

Click on the photo gallery at left for some of the party pictures.