Artist Chuck Close. (Rob Rich)

New York City - The Whitney Museum of American Art's 2011 Gala, honoring legendary art writer Calvin Tomkins for his lifetime achievements, was held at Hudson River Park at Pier 57, on October 5, 2011.

The 2011 Whitney Gala was the first to be held outside of the Whitney Museum, and was also the first Whitney Fall Gala to take place in downtown Manhattan, continuing the Whitney's celebration of their new downtown building in the Meatpacking District which is currently entering the construction phase.

Raising more than $2.65 million last year, the Gala is the most visible and prominent of the museum's fundraising efforts, providing the essential funds needed to support the latest achievements of emerging and established artists as well as exhibitions of American masters.

This year's Gala featured a video installation by artist Marilyn Minter and sponsored by AOL, that was created especially for the Gala.

Artist Donald Sultan. (Rob Rich)

Honorary Co-Chairs included AOL CEO and Chairman Tim Armstrong, Georgina Chapman, Keren Craig, and Harvey Weinstein. Gala Co-Chairs were Jill Bikoff, Ginevra Caltagirone and Fern Kaye Tessler, along with Vice-Chair Donna Perret Rosen.

The Whitney Museum of American Art is the home of the world's preeminent collection of American art. Founded in 1930 by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, the institution has remained committed to its mission of supporting living American artists. Through its Permanent Collection, traveling exhibitions, world-renowned Biennials and innovative educational programs, the Whitney facilitates exploration of the richness of American art and culture throughout the world.

The Whitney broke ground on a new museum building in downtown Manhattan in May 2011. Located in the Meatpacking District on Gansevoort Street between West Street and the High Line. The six-floor, 195,000-square-foot building, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano, will provide the Whitney with essential new space for its collection, exhibitions, and education and performing arts programs in one of New York's most vibrant neighborhoods.