The 2025 Boston Arts Academy Foundation HONORS awardees raise a toast inside the MassMutual Lounge at MGM Music Hall at Fenway following the ceremony.

Artwork by Boston Arts Academy students displayed in the MGM Music Hall lobby showcased the school’s vibrant visual-arts program during the 2025 HONORS celebration.

Boston Arts Academy students perform a vocal number during the VIP reception at the Foundation’s 2025 HONORS gala.

The Boston Arts Academy Foundation’s annual HONORS gala transformed MGM Music Hall at Fenway into a celebration of creativity, community and purpose on Oct. 23, bringing together donors, performers, philanthropists and civic leaders under the theme “The Power of Art to Transform Well-Being.”

The black-tie event, one of Boston’s premier arts fundraisers, supports the city’s public high school for visual and performing arts. The gala also serves as the foundation’s largest source of unrestricted funding, with a goal of raising $2.5 million to sustain Boston Arts Academy’s (BAA) programs in dance, music, fashion, visual arts and film.

“Tonight’s performances remind us that when we invest in arts education, we invest in Boston’s future leaders, creators and changemakers,” said Denella Clark, president and CEO of the Boston Arts Academy Foundation. “Through the generosity and support of individuals, corporations and foundations, we are able to keep the arts in Boston Arts Academy. Tonight is just a reflection of that support and the belief that art changes lives.”

The evening opened with a welcome that drew laughter and applause as the host declared it “the hottest concert ticket in town.”

The first half of the program focused on honoring artists and community leaders who exemplify creativity and civic impact.

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Donnie Wahlberg, the singer, actor and producer known for his deep Boston roots. Unable to attend, his brothers Bob and Paul Wahlberg accepted the award on his behalf.

“Are we here for Don? Because I feel like we’re here for Johnny,” the Wahlberg brothers joked, referring to R&B legend Johnny Gill, who was also in the evening lineup. “Donnie is Boston through and through, and we’re blessed,” they added.

Dianne Walker, the celebrated tap dancer and educator, was honored in the dance category and reflected on her lifelong connection to the city. “I’m a Bostonian, and to receive this honor here among others is wonderful,” she said. “On being here and receiving this honor, I feel like a kid in a candy store.”

Grace Lee, president and CEO of St. Mary’s Credit Union, received the award for civic responsibility and became visibly emotional as she spoke about her journey. “This is a full-circle moment,” Lee said. “I started my career in civil rights, and I’ve learned it doesn’t matter where I am, the mission is always the mission. It’s incredibly humbling and emotional. On receiving the call, I thought it was a mistake at first, but it’s really a blessing from God.”

The highlight of the evening came at the end of the night, when Johnny Gill, R&B icon and member of New Edition, joined seven BAA students on stage for a powerful rendition of “Can You Stand the Rain.”

“It’s a blessing,” Gill said in an interview. “After 43 years of doing this, awards like these are just reminders to keep going, to keep pushing. My work is not done.”

Gill’s closing performance captured the spirit of the evening, a testament to how the arts can empower, unite and heal.

“Our students embody the heart of Boston’s creative youth,” Clark said. “They combine artistic vision, academic rigor and community pride. To be able to perform with an icon like Johnny Gill truly reinforces the powerful role arts education plays in nurturing local talent.”

Founded in 1998, Boston Arts Academy is the city’s only public high school for the visual and performing arts. The school serves more than 500 students from nearly all of Boston’s 23 neighborhoods, offering conservatory-level training alongside college-preparatory academics.

“Our goal is to develop the next generation of artists, scholars and global citizens,” said Tyrone Sutton, head of school at BAA. “Our graduates are leaders, entrepreneurs and educators in the arts, making great work happen and pushing boundaries. Events like this ensure we continue to have a strong arts pathway for students who believe in using art to make change in the world.”

The new $125 million BAA campus, which opened in 2022, has expanded capacity and includes advanced studios, theaters and technology spaces. Still, Clark noted that the funding formula from Boston Public Schools does not fully cover the cost of the school’s rigorous dual curriculum, making philanthropy essential. The foundation’s Building Our Future campaign aims to raise $35 million to close that gap.

Throughout the night, alumni and students demonstrated the lasting impact of arts education.

Performers included salsa musician Sebastian “SBM” Medina, dancer Leah Pires and R&B and gospel singer Jason Price, all BAA graduates. Grammy winner Melissa Manchester and Tony Award winner Melba Moore also performed, while auctioneer Michael Chambers led a live fundraising drive that had guests bidding enthusiastically.

Between segments at the main event, the valedictorian from Boston Arts Academy’s class of 2025 took the stage, delivering a heartfelt speech about her journey and the school’s role in shaping her artistic identity. She followed it with a graceful dance performance that brought loud applause.

“Fundraising events like this are vital,” Sutton said. “They allow us to continue to give Boston students opportunities to grow, perform and lead through the arts.”

As the final notes of Gill’s performance echoed through the hall, the crowd’s standing ovation embodied what the night was truly about — the transformative power of art and the community determined to sustain it.