Boston Arts Academy Foundation Announces 10th Annual Champion Reception Set for March 19, 2026

The Boston Arts Academy Foundation (BAAF) is proud to announce the 10th annual Champion Reception, taking place on Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Boston Arts Academy, 174 Ipswich Street. This milestone celebration honors a decade of recognizing individuals whose leadership and generosity reflect the school’s mission to develop artist-scholars-citizens and uplift equitable access to arts education at Boston’s only public high school for  the performing arts. 

Under the vision and leadership of Event Chair Kristen Standish, this year marks a historic first: the Champion Reception will be held inside the school itself, inviting guests into the creative spaces where Boston Arts Academy (BAA) students learn, practice, and bring their artistry to life every day. Standish, founder of RazHer, and CEO of VizSense,  an AI-driven martech company, is also a mother to a thriving BAA student.  

“This 10-year milestone Champions event is truly special,” said Denella Clark, President and CEO of the Boston Arts Academy Foundation. “It brings together the celebration of exceptional leadership and civic responsibility with a breathtaking, all-student-led performance that highlights the full range of our students’ talents—from singing and dancing to lighting and production. The evening honors the supporters who help make these transformative experiences possible and showcases how a foundation in the arts shapes well-rounded, globally minded citizens. With distinguished honorees representing government, banking, healthcare, and civic leadership, it is truly a night not to be missed.”

The 2026 Champion Awards will honor:

• Robert Chambers, Vice President for Strategic Engagement and Chief of Staff at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Former Chair of the BAA Board of Trustees
• Diana DiZoglio, Massachusetts State Auditor 
• Lorena Silva, CEO of Vitra Health, Board Member of BAAF & Chris Herman, Executive Vice President, Head of Retirement & Wealth Inspira Financial

These distinguished honorees exemplify the spirit of community, creativity, and advocacy that has shaped BAA’s impact in Boston and beyond.

“We believe that talent is distributed evenly but access is not,” says Standish. “By raising funds for Boston’s only public school for the performing arts, together with this dynamic class of Champions, we are creating a legacy of opportunity and greatness for generations to come.” 

New this year, guests will enjoy a culinary experience from a variety of the city’s top restaurants including Rochambeau, Del Frisco’s, Abe & Louies and others along with celebrity chefs, mocktail lounges, and interactive activations and technological wonders from partners across the Boston community. A highlight of this year’s event will be the opening night of the student-led performance. This signature annual performance underscores the school’s commitment to both artistic excellence and creative exploration showcasing the extraordinary talent and artistic discipline that define Boston Arts Academy. The goal of the night is to raise $300K. 

The Champion Reception not only celebrates BAA’s vibrant community but is also working to raise critical funds that support scholarships, college pathway support and career enrichment, academic tutoring, mental health resources, cutting edge studios, instruments and technology,  and the artistic training that allows students to flourish. 

Event Details:

Thursday, March 19, 2026

6:00 – 9:00 PM

Boston Arts Academy

174 Ipswich St, Boston, MA 02215

To purchase tickets, review sponsorship opportunities and for more information or media inquiries, please visit the event page here. 

About the Boston Arts Academy Foundation

Established in 1999, the Boston Arts Academy Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization that raises essential funds from private philanthropic sources to augment the Boston Arts Academy school budget. The BAAF helps bridge the gap between the school’s allocation from the Boston Public Schools and the true cost of a high-quality education that is both art-intensive and college-preparatory. Construction of the new BAA school building in 2022 does not change BPS’s funding formula, which does not fully cover the cost of a college preparatory academic program and a competitive arts program. Visit https://bostonartsacademy.org/foundation for more information.