The Beaux Arts Balls are an Art Academy tradition borrowed from the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Costume balls became popular in American art schools in the late 19th century, and although there is no history of the early days, there are reports that the balls were a fixture at the Academy by 1900. The balls were known for the grandiose dress and costume as well as the behavior that was scandalous for the time.