The EMMAs celebrate excellence in charity fundraising, recognising the outstanding work of charities, events teams and suppliers whose creativity and dedication help organisations achieve their fundraising ambitions.

On a warm summer evening in July, the National Portrait Gallery's Special Events Lead, Sophie Lorenz, represented the Gallery at the EMMAs after being shortlisted in the Special Event of the Year – Over £100,000 Raised category.

The nomination recognised the Portrait Gala, held at the Gallery in March, which brought together an exceptional guest list of artists, philanthropists, patrons and actors. The annual fundraising event, the first to take place under the leadership of the Gallery's new Director, Victoria Siddall, proved to be a remarkable success, raising more than £1 million and surpassing its fundraising target.

Welcoming over 400 guests, the evening began with a drinks reception and exclusive private access to Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting, before guests enjoyed a multi-floor dining experience that seamlessly combined fine dining, live artistic interventions, digital fundraising and late-night entertainment. Designed as an immersive journey rather than a traditional gala, the event showcased the Gallery's ambition to reimagine the fundraising experience while celebrating portraiture and creativity.

Fundraising was woven throughout the evening, including a successful silent auction, helping the event exceed its ambitious target. The celebrations concluded with an after-party featuring a live performance by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, alongside DJ sets from Hale Zero and Princess Julia.

As Siddall concluded after the Gala, “The extraordinary works in our Collection, brought to life by the stories we tell about our shared history, create inspiration and understanding that can last a lifetime. Portraiture has a unique power to reach across generations, and nights like this ensure we are able to continue this important work.”

Winning this category at the EMMA Awards is a testament to the creativity, collaboration and dedication of the Gallery's Events team and its partners, recognising the successful delivery of a complex, large-scale fundraising event that not only exceeded its financial goals but also created an unforgettable experience for its guests and supporters.