Home > News > School of the Arts and Architecture Receives $500,000 Gift from Albert Peskin

School of the Arts and Architecture Receives $500,000 Gift from Albert Peskin

Carolyn Campbell (ccampbel@arts.ucla.edu) (310) 825-6540
For Immediate Use Wednesday, December 11, 1996.

One of the largest gifts from a single individual to the School of the Arts and Architecture (SOAA) has been given by Albert Peskin (Beverly Hills). The gift of $500,000 will provide a lasting and important tribute to honor the life of his late wife, Ruth Peskin. "My desire in making this gift is to reflect Ruth's appreciation for women in the arts," said Mr. Peskin. The Ruth Peskin Distinguished Artist Fund will help the school bring distinguished artists, performers, cultural leaders and arts scholars to campus for the benefit of students and the community.

"We are very pleased to receive such a significant gift in honor of Ruth Peskin," said SOAA Dean Daniel Neuman. "It will enable us, at the School of the Arts and Architecture, to continue our mission to educate the cultural leaders of the 21st century. This gift will allow our program to grow in breadth while maintaining our standing as a major cultural performance presenter in Southern California. At a time when state assistance provides less than one quarter of the university's entire budget, we are deeply appreciative of this type of outstanding generosity from the private sector."

By using part of this gift to establish a permanent endowment fund at UCLA, the Ruth Peskin Distinguished Artist Fund will enhance artistic endeavors and enrich the educational experience of students in the arts at UCLA for generations to come. This academic year, the funds will be used to bring Ben Vereen and Leslie Uggams to the UCLA Center for Performing Arts on March 16.


Contact: Carolyn Campbell
Phone: (310) 825-6540
Email: ccampbel@arts.ucla.edu