LACMA’s David Geffen Galleries Opening Sets New Fundraising Record with $11.5 Million Raised

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) raised nearly $11.5 million at its opening gala for the David Geffen Galleries on Thursday, April 16, 2026, setting a new record for a museum fundraising event in the institution’s history.

The gala, held at the museum’s new $724 million building designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, welcomed more than 820 notable guests from Los Angeles’ creative and philanthropic communities. The event was presented by Genesis and supported by East West Bank, with additional backing from long-time partner Gucci.

Among the attendees were prominent figures from the art and entertainment worlds, including Jeff Koons, Ed Ruscha, Wim Wenders, Todd Gray, Refik Anadol, Do Ho Suh, Mark Bradford, Lauren Halsey, Will Ferrell and Sharon Stone. George Lucas was also present at the lavish evening, which featured cocktails, dining, and views of the newly opened galleries.

The David Geffen Galleries, a 900-foot-long glass-and-concrete structure elevated nearly 30 feet above street level, spans Wilshire Boulevard and offers sweeping views of Los Angeles. The building houses approximately 110,000 square feet of gallery space and will showcase works from LACMA’s permanent collection of more than 155,000 objects spanning 6,000 years of history.

LACMA CEO and Director Michael Govan emphasized that the inaugural installation moves beyond traditional categorizations of geography, chronology, and medium. Instead, it employs a thematic approach to tell “different, more, subtle, complex stories about people,” reflecting the interconnected nature of modern life in Los Angeles.

Govan noted that 45 curators collaborated on the installation, which will continue to evolve over time. “We’re going to continue to rotate and change. I’m fond of saying that history is always changing. We’re always rethinking, and the museum will be responsive to that,” he said during a media preview held the Wednesday before the gala.

The David Geffen Galleries will open to LACMA members following a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sunday, April 19, 2026, and to the general public beginning May 4, 2026. The opening gala’s proceeds will support the launch and initial operations of the new galleries.

This fundraising total represents the highest amount ever raised by LACMA at a single event, surpassing previous records and underscoring strong institutional support for the museum’s most ambitious expansion to date.