SCI-Arc Announces 2023 Gala Honoring Helle Søholt, Trina Turk, and Ma Yansong
Los Angeles, CA (September 28, 2023) – SCI-Arc is proud to announce this year’s scholarship fundraiser Gala, Forging the Future; Elevating Tomorrow’s Builders, Makers, and Dreamers. On October 19, from 6:30pm - 10:00pm, friends and supporters of SCI-Arc are invited to gather at The Grand LA for a festive cocktail party that shines a spotlight on the achievements of today’s most inspiring designers from diverse creative fields, including honorees Helle Søholt, Trina Turk, and Ma Yansong. Guests will be invited to enjoy specialty, themed cocktails with culinary pairings at sponsored bars, bid on exclusive experiences in a silent auction, and will feature performances by comedy duo The Sklar Brothers.
At a time when the cost of higher education stands as an insurmountable barrier to so many young people pursuing their professional dreams, SCI-Arc is growing its investment in scholarships to support next-generation architects and designers. In the current academic year, SCI-Arc is dedicating more than $7.8 million in financial support for students—the highest scholarship investment in the school’s 50-year history. More than 60% of SCI-Arc’s student body is supported by scholarships. This year, $935,000 was awarded to fund the education of 16 students from underrepresented communities, reflecting the school’s priority of enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in architecture and design fields.
Named awards will be presented to acknowledge Helle Søholt, Founding Partner + CEO of Gehl for “Excellence in Urban Planning;” eponymous brand founder and creative director Trina Turk for “Excellence in Fashion Design;” and Ma Yansong, Founder + Principal Partner of MAD Architects for “Excellence in Architecture.”
“Raising funds for scholarships is one of the most important things we can do for promoting diversity and access to the wonderful education and resources that can be found at SCI-Arc,” added Gala Co-Chair Phoebe Yee, Executive Vice President of Related California.
Referring to the impact of scholarships, Student Representative to the Board of Trustees and Gala speaker Miho Asada (B.Arch ‘23) explained, "Receiving a scholarship to SCI-Arc has changed my life, along with many other students. When I was in high school, I didn’t think getting a higher education was an option because I couldn’t afford it. But it’s not just about the money, it’s someone believing in you and your ability to succeed. SCI-Arc in particular is a school that offers so much support and instills the confidence that you can do anything you put your mind to."
"SCI-Arc's Gala is a time for LA's creative community to come together to celebrate today's most inspiring designers—and, most importantly, to support those who will inspire us in the future," said Tom Strickler, Chairman of SCI-Arc's Board of Trustees.
The Gala will also feature set design by Actual Objects—an award-winning collective of directors, artists, researchers, and producers who use emerging technologies to construct radical new aesthetics. Two of the design studio’s three partners, also including Claire Cochran, are alumni of SCI-Arc’s groundbreaking Fiction and Entertainment postgraduate program, Case Miller (MS Fiction and Entertainment ‘19) and Rick Farin (MS Fiction and Entertainment ‘19).
Visit the SCI-Arc Gala event page to purchase sponsorships or reserve tickets.
SCI-Arc Gala Committee
Co-Chairs: Byron Merritt (M.Arch ‘99) and Phoebe Yee
Members: Suzanne Boda, Hernán Díaz Alonso, John Enright, Fernando Gutiérrez, Thom Mayne, Jerry Neuman, Tom Strickler
SCI-Arc Leadership
Hernán Díaz Alonso, Director/CEO
John Enright, Vice Director/Chief Academic Officer
Kristy Balliet, Undergraduate Programs Chair
Marcelyn Gow, Undergraduate Programs Chair
Elena Manferdini, Graduate Programs Chair
David Ruy, Postgraduate Programs Chair
Sponsorship and Ticket Sales Contact
Pamela Miller
213.356.5355
pamela_miller@sciarc.edu