British Museum Unveils First-Ever Pink-Themed Fundraising Gala for October

A night of art, music, and philanthropy awaits at the British Museum's historic first ball. Isha Ambani and stars like Idris Elba unite to celebrate Ancient India: Living Traditions.

, and Administrator

2026 March 25 . 4:02 AM

1 min read

The image shows a group of people standing in front of a British museum, with two statues on either... — The image shows a group of people standing in front of a British museum, with two statues on either side of them. At the top and bottom of the image, there is text that reads "In the British Museum".

British Museum Unveils First-Ever Pink-Themed Fundraising Gala for October

The British Museum has announced its first-ever fundraising gala, the British Museum Ball, set for October 18. This year's event will embrace a 'pink' theme, drawing inspiration from the current exhibition Ancient India: Living Traditions. The ball marks the launch of a new initiative to support the museum's global outreach efforts. The museum, founded in 1753 as the world's first public national museum, continues to attract a vast international audience. Last year alone, over eight million people viewed its objects outside London. The upcoming ball aims to strengthen these connections by raising funds for international partnerships, making the collection more accessible worldwide.

Isha Ambani will cochair the event, which will feature a silent auction and live performances by sitarist Anoushka Shankar and conductor Jules Buckley. The guest list includes prominent figures such as Zadie Smith, Naomi Campbell, Idris Elba, and Miuccia Prada, alongside artists Grayson Perry and Steve McQueen. Other notable attendees will include Courtney Love, Pamela Joyner, Bianca Jagger, and Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The chosen theme ties into *Ancient India: Living Traditions*, an exhibition showcasing sacred art linked to Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist faiths. Many of the displayed works date back over 2,000 years, highlighting the enduring influence of these traditions.

The British Museum Ball will bring together cultural leaders, artists, and philanthropists to support the institution's mission. Funds raised will help expand access to its collections through global partnerships. The event underscores the museum's ongoing relevance to audiences both in London and beyond.