Taylor Swift will perform at the sixth annual Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles on October 17, adding a major music moment to an evening dedicated to celebrating cinema. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures announced Swift as the gala’s performer on October 8, alongside previously announced honorees John Carpenter, Colman Domingo and Charlize Theron.
Taylor Swift’s performance will close an evening designed to raise support for the Academy Museum’s exhibitions, screenings and education programs. Amy Homma, director and president of the Academy Museum and Academy Collection, called Swift “an extraordinary talent whose work resonates around the world” while welcoming her to the event.
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The 2026 gala will honor Carpenter, the filmmaker and composer behind films including Halloween, as well as two-time Oscar-nominated actor Domingo and Oscar-winning actress Theron. The three honorees have already participated in programming connected to the museum’s mission, bringing their work directly into conversations with audiences.
Theron joined the Academy Museum’s Teen Council for a conversation on August 22, followed by a screening of Mad Max: Fury Road, her 2015 action classic. Carpenter, meanwhile, hosted four nights of screenings of his films, including Halloween, as part of The Horror Show, the Academy Museum’s new large-scale exhibition exploring the history and impact of horror cinema.
For Taylor Swift, the gala appearance places her at the intersection of music, film and Hollywood’s awards-season culture. Her relationship with cinema has continued to expand in recent years, from directing her own music videos to the extensive visual world surrounding her albums and tours. Recently, she won the inaugural Artist Director Award at the 2026 MTV VMAs.
The Academy Museum Gala has become one of the institution’s major annual fundraising events since launching in 2021. Proceeds from the 2026 edition will help the museum present exhibitions, expand educational opportunities, stage public screenings and maintain access for visitors of all ages.
Rolex, the founding supporter of the Academy Museum, returns as the exclusive presenting partner of the gala. Tom Ford, Robert Rodriguez, Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw are serving as co-chairs, while the 2026 host committee includes Jessica Alba, Jon M. Chu, Kirsten Dunst, Nicholas Galitzine, Greta Lee, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, Rami Malek, Demi Moore, Questlove, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Teyana Taylor and other prominent figures from entertainment.
Photo: Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott
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