LACMA Opens $724 Million David Geffen Galleries With Star-Studded Gala

LACMA’s opening gala for its $724 million David Geffen Galleries created a gravitational pull for art and film heavyweights, including the building’s namesake along with George Lucas, Ed Ruscha, Lauren Halsey, Tom Hanks, Bob Iger, Will Ferrell, Ava DuVernay, Jeff Koons, and more.

The event, held on April 17, 2026, marked the public debut of the new David Geffen Galleries at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, a project nearly two decades in the making and costing approximately $724 million. Designed by architect Peter Zumthor, the 347,500-square-foot wing replaced four existing buildings and sparked both admiration and criticism for its unconventional approach to displaying art.

Guests arrived to a striking visual of Zumthor’s gray concrete structure illuminated from below, with lights twinkling like stars along its underbelly as the sun set over Los Angeles. The atmosphere blended high art and Hollywood, with conversations flowing between museum directors, acclaimed artists, and entertainment industry figures.

Among the notable attendees were David Geffen, for whom the galleries are named, and filmmaker George Lucas, who engaged in conversation with artist Ed Ruscha near the DJ booth. Artist Jeff Koons was also seen speaking closely with Ruscha, while Mark Bradford moved through the crowd with a beneficent smile, towering over many guests including AI art maker Refik Anadol.

Todd Gray, whose 27-foot-long photo sculpture “Octavia’s Gaze” is installed in the hallway near the building’s south entrance, was observed chatting with filmmaker Wim Wenders, who is creating a documentary about Zumthor’s controversial design. Zumthor himself attended the gala in bright red sneakers, speaking with LACMA director Michael Govan before Govan took a selfie with immersive installation artist Do Ho Suh.

Lauren Halsey, recognizable in her distinctive white shirt, long shorts, and ball cap, navigated the crowd of admirers and praised the new space, calling Zumthor’s creation “beautiful” and “fantastic.” Her presence underscored the gala’s focus on contemporary artistic voices alongside established legends.

The opening gala followed days of preview events and public debate over the building’s merits. Critics, including former Los Angeles Times art critic Christopher Knight, have questioned the design, labeling it “monotonous” and lamenting the loss of 11,000 square feet of gallery space compared to the structures it replaced. Others have praised its progressive modernist aesthetic and potential to redefine how art is experienced in a civic setting.