Hammer Museum at UCLA launches $180 million campaign to support major transformation
Philanthropists Lynda and Stewart Resnick contribute $30 million lead gift
UCLA Arts congratulates the Hammer Museum, one of the school's acclaimed pubic arts venues, on today’s exciting gift announcement. The Hammer Museum announced that an ambitious multiyear project to renovate, expand and transform the institution has taken a major step forward with the public launch of a $180 million capital campaign. The announcement coincides with a lead gift of $30 million — the largest in the museum’s history — from Los Angeles philanthropists Lynda and Stewart Resnick. In recognition of their generous gift, the Hammer’s building will be named the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Cultural Center.
"Ann Philbin, director of the Hammer Museum at UCLA, announced today that an ambitious multiyear project to renovate, expand and transform the institution has taken a major step forward with the public launch of a $180 million capital campaign. The announcement coincides with a lead gift of $30 million — the largest in the museum’s history — from Los Angeles philanthropists Lynda and Stewart Resnick. In recognition of their generous gift, the Hammer’s building will be named the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Cultural Center.
“Art has long inspired Stewart and me in a profound and meaningful way,” Lynda Resnick said. “For decades, we’ve been committed to Los Angeles’s dynamic arts and culture scene and are proud to witness its growth into a nationally recognized epicenter for cutting-edge talent. As longtime admirers of director Ann Philbin’s vision and of the Hammer’s role in this meteoric rise, we’re gratified to be part of this transformative gift that will further solidify the institution’s key role in our community.”
The transformation project is helmed by renowned architect Michael Maltzan, a longtime partner in enhancing the museum’s facility. The current project, which began with the renovation of the museum’s exhibition galleries in 2017, will continue in phases through 2020, culminating with a dramatic new presence for the museum on Wilshire Boulevard. The museum will remain free and open to the public throughout construction. The project’s total costs are estimated at $80 million, and the Hammer plans to raise an additional $100 million to expand its endowment and support its acclaimed programs and exhibitions. To date, the campaign has raised more than $130 million.
“Like UCLA, the Hammer is based on the belief that ideas and imagination enable us to become our best selves and change the world,” UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said. “Within the museum field, it stands apart in its courageous exploration of the most important issues of our time. I am deeply grateful to Lynda and Stewart Resnick for their extraordinary gift, which will sustain this work for generations to come.”
The campaign was initiated by a generous gift of $20 million from trailblazing television producer Marcy Carsey, who has served as Hammer Museum board chair since 2014. Other major support has come from the museum’s board of directors and board of overseers, as well as other generous families and foundations in Los Angeles.
“No one combines brains, heart and soul like the Hammer,” Carsey said. “We need arts institutions that are also awake to social, political and economic injustice, and that empower all of us to engage meaningfully with our communities. Under Annie’s leadership, the Hammer has shown how to do this in a truly powerful way. I’m thrilled that this campaign has inspired such generosity from the Resnicks and so many others.”
The Hammer Museum is one of three public arts institutions of the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture, serving as a valuable resource for scholars, artists, students and the broader UCLA community. The Hammer’s campaign is part of the $4.2 billion UCLA Centennial Campaign, which is scheduled to conclude in December 2019 during UCLA’s 100th anniversary year."— Feb. 22, 2018
This post is an excerpt, read the full article at the UCLA Newsroom website.
Read about this gift in the New York Times and Los Angeles Times.
Read more about the Hammer Museum.
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