The Beaux Arts Ball — 100 Years of Celebration and Community

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The UVA School of Architecture’s annual Beaux Arts Ball, a long-celebrated tradition for students, faculty, staff, and the UVA community, is returning this spring on April 3rd, 2026. This year, the event, organized by the School of Architecture Student Council (Studco), will be hosted at the UVA Darden School of Business’s Forum Hotel, with the theme “French Riviera”. 

The Ball is known for its vibrant themes showcasing student creativity and its positive community impact. At the same time, it is a rare and memorable opportunity for students to connect with and celebrate with their peers, professors, teaching assistants, and others, outside of the studio and the classroom. 

One of my favorite parts of the Beaux Arts Ball is being able to engage with professors in a festive setting. I remember running into one of my professors, and it was really nice because I got to deepen my connection with him outside of studio and make a bond that made me comfortable asking him for career advice.

— Harrison Hannan, 3rd year architecture undergraduate
 

A Tradition Going Back 100 Years: The Best of its Kind

The origins of the Beaux Arts Ball can be traced back to France and the École des Beaux-Arts, referencing not only the event but also the style of architecture popular in the United States at the turn of the twentieth century. Specifically, in 1892, French architect Charles Cravio developed the idea for a masquerade ball in a restaurant on Rue Chere Midi in Paris’ Left Bank. The first bal des Quat’z’Arts (Ball of the Four Arts) was a celebratory festivity of students from four different disciplines at the École: architecture, painting, sculpture, and engraving. (Source: “Beaux Arts Balls and Belles: Women and the Iconic Architectural Event” by Kate Reggev for Madame Architect, 2022).

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At UVA, the first Beaux Arts Ball was held in the Spring of 1926 and from the beginning, the event has been student-led. The theme for its first iteration was “A Night at Montmartre”. Students anticipated the event with excitement, and noted following its conclusion:  

Everybody who attended, without exception, pronounced it the best ever. (Then) President Alderman, who stayed until the wee small hours, said that it was the best affair of its kind ever attempted at the University since he has been here.

— Excerpt from History of the A-School by Professor Emeritus K. Edward Lay
 
Over the decades, the event has evolved significantly. Perhaps most notably, it was once a university-wide celebration, open to the broader community and taking the form of an elaborate costume ball, with themes ranging from “Through the Looking Glass” (1982) and “Back to Nature” (1979) to an ocean theme (1978) and even “The Wizard of Oz" (1976). Today, while the Ball focuses on celebrating the A-School community, the spirit of creativity and celebration remains central.
 

The Beaux Arts Ball Today: A Celebration with Community Impact

In recent years, the Beaux Arts Ball has moved from being hosted at the School of Architecture’s Campbell Hall to locations throughout Charlottesville, from the Omni Hotel, to the Graduate Hotel rooftop, and now this year, at the Forum Hotel at Darden, giving students and community members the opportunity to connect and celebrate outside of the School’s homebase, and off-Grounds. 

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This year’s theme takes a slightly more refined approach, moving away from literal characters and toward an atmosphere and setting: the French Riviera. The A-School Student Council describes the theme as: “light summer linens, coastal chic, warm sun and turquoise water, and “la belle vie,” or the “the beautiful life. We hope it will be an evening of effortless elegance and coastal glamour right here in Charlottesville.”

In addition to being a celebratory event, this year’s Ball, building on past iterations, supports an important local cause. Proceeds generated from the event will benefit The Haven, a Charlottesville-based day shelter and housing resource center dedicated to supporting the city’s community. As they describe it, “The Haven endeavors to end homelessness in the greater Charlottesville community. Motivated by radical hospitality, we strive to be the point of entry for people seeking stable housing.”

The Haven’s story began in 2005, when UVA alumnus Tom Shadyac (’81) returned to Charlottesville and became deeply aware of the challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness. Moved by what he saw, he helped initiate what would become The Haven. In 2008, Janet Matthews was brought on to oversee the renovation of the First Street Church Project, and a partnership was formed with the Blue Ridge Area Coalition for the Homeless. Under the leadership of Executive Director Kaki Dimock, The Haven officially opened its doors on January 18, 2010. Since then, it has remained committed to providing a safe, welcoming space while helping individuals and families move toward stability through vital resources and housing support.

Because of the generous support of donors in the UVA community, nearly 100 percent of proceeds from this year’s Beaux Arts Ball will go directly toward supporting The Haven’s mission. By attending, students are not only participating in a long-standing A-School tradition but also contributing to meaningful change within the Charlottesville community. 

Into the Future: Keeping the Tradition Alive

While the Ball has created a century of memories, keeping a tradition alive for 100 years isn’t easy. As the higher education landscape continues to change, student leadership has been at the heart of ensuring this cherished event continues to thrive. This year’s student council faced challenges fundraising for the Ball, but continued to be driven by the endless students, professors, and alumni alike who advocated strongly this year for the continuation of this annual tradition. 

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I am a graduate of the School of Architecture and I have really fond memories of the Beaux Arts Ball that meant so much to me and to my friends. It’s really important that we keep this tradition here at UVA as it represents a special moment that recognizes our students as part of our great community.

— Elgin Cleckley (’93), Associate Professor of Architecture 

Made possible by the efforts of the School of Architecture Student Council, as the Ball returns once again this spring, it stands as more than just a night of celebration. It is a reflection of the A-School’s values of creativity, community, and care for others, and a reminder of the lasting connections that can be formed here.