Los Angeles—The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) announces the addition of 10 new acquisitions during the museum’s 32nd annual Collectors Committee fundraiser. The annual Collectors Committee Weekend—led by LACMA trustee, Collectors Committee Chair, and Acquisitions Committee Chair Ann Colgin—was a two-day affair, which included curator-led art presentations, private dinners at the homes of major LACMA supporters, and a gala dinner where members voted on artworks to add to the museum’s permanent collection. This year, the 96 voting members raised more than $3.1 million. The 2018 event was generously sponsored by Cartier.
“Each year, Collectors Committee presents a full and exciting weekend designed to support the museum’s permanent collection through new acquisitions,” said Ann Colgin. “I am grateful to the outstanding Friday evening hosts, chefs, and vintners for preparing incredible dining experiences, the curators for their inspiring presentations, and the committee members whose continued support and generosity make this event possible each year.”
“Collectors Committee’s legacy is built on strengthening and diversifying the museum’s permanent collection,” said LACMA CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director Michael Govan. “It was especially significant that the majority of the proposed artworks this year were by female artists, all now part of LACMA’s permanent collection. Two of the acquisitions will strengthen LACMA’s growing collection of art from Africa. With these new acquisitions, we are able to share more perspectives, adding to a fuller and more robust view of art history.”
Since 1986, Collectors Committee Weekend has been one of the museum’s most significant fundraising events of the year and continues to play an essential role in acquiring important works of art for every area of its encyclopedic collection. Throughout its 32-year history, the event has acquired 228 artworks through donations totaling more than $43 million.
Festivities began this year on the evening of Friday, April 20, with members attending one of seven dinners (details below) hosted in the private homes of major LACMA supporters, prepared in person by a celebrity chef and with wines from notable vineyards.
On the morning of Saturday, April 21, members gathered at LACMA to attend curator presentations and view the artworks proposed for addition to the permanent collection. Following the presentations and before the evening voting began, Betye Saar’s I’ll Bend But I Will Not Break (1998) was acquired through a generous gift from LACMA life trustee Lynda Resnick and her husband Stewart, and the acquisition of Martha Boto’s Optique Hélicoidal (Mouvement) (1967) was made possible through a gift from Gayle and Tim DeVries. At the Collectors Committee gala later that evening, emceed by LACMA trustee Ann Colgin, 96 members voted to select which artworks to acquire, while enjoying a special dinner prepared by Joachim Splichal (Patina Catering) with wine supplied by Christian Navarro at Wally’s Wine, Tejon Ranch, and champagne generously provided by Krug Champagne.
Funds for the artwork acquisitions were raised by Collectors Committee membership dues, with additional funds provided by individual members. Adding to the pool for acquisition funds was a short live auction, chaired by LACMA trustee Viveca Paulin- Ferrell, which raised more than $650,000 (a full list of auction items is available below).
In addition, each year, an artist whose work is in LACMA’s collection makes an edition for Collectors Committee members who donate at the highest level. This year, artist Shirin Neshat created Untitled (from Zarin series, 2005), 2018.
Go See Art 