Hammer Museum

Hammer Museum
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Name	Hammer Museum
Established	1990
Location	10899 Wilshire Boulevard, Westwood, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Type	Art museum
Founder	Armand Hammer
Director	Ann Philbin

Hammer Museum. Founded in 1990 by industrialist and philanthropist Armand Hammer, the museum is dedicated to the exhibition and preservation of art across historical and contemporary periods. It is part of the University of California, Los Angeles and is renowned for its dynamic exhibitions, pioneering artist projects, and extensive public programs. Located on Wilshire Boulevard in the Westwood neighborhood, it has become a vital cultural institution within the Los Angeles arts scene and internationally.

History

The museum was established by Armand Hammer, chairman of the Occidental Petroleum corporation, to house his personal collection of Old Master paintings and drawings. It opened to the public in November 1990, just prior to Hammer's death. In 1994, oversight was transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles, creating a unique partnership between a private museum and a major public research university. Under the leadership of directors such as Henry T. Hopkins and, since 1999, Ann Philbin, the institution dramatically shifted its focus. It expanded its mission beyond the founding collection to emphasize cutting-edge contemporary art, emerging artists, and socially engaged programming, significantly broadening its audience and critical acclaim.

Collections and exhibitions

The permanent collection encompasses over 50,000 works, ranging from Old Master drawings to modern and contemporary art. It holds significant works by artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Mary Cassatt, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, alongside major holdings of works on paper. The museum is internationally celebrated for its ambitious, often thematic exhibitions like Made in L.A. and Hammer Projects, which showcase emerging and under-recognized artists from Los Angeles and globally. It has presented major solo exhibitions for artists including Yoko Ono, Mark Bradford, and Lari Pittman, and frequently collaborates with institutions like the Museum of Modern Art and the Tate Modern.

Architecture and facilities

The original building, designed by architect Edward Larrabee Barnes, is a postmodern structure faced with Carrara marble and red granite. A major transformation began in 2015 with a redesign led by architect Michael Maltzan, which added significant new public and gallery spaces. The renovation created the Billy Wilder Theater, a state-of-the-art venue for film and performance, and expanded the courtyard, enhancing the museum's role as a social hub. The campus also includes the Armand Hammer Museum of Art and Cultural Center, study centers for works on paper, conservation labs, and the popular Hammer Museum Store.

Public programs and education

A cornerstone of its mission, the museum offers a vast array of free public programs. These include the long-running Hammer Conversations series, featuring dialogues with prominent figures from the arts, politics, and academia such as Mikhail Baryshnikov and Kathy Griffin. The museum hosts over 300 free events annually, including film screenings at the Billy Wilder Theater, musical performances, and lecture series. Its education department develops extensive initiatives for K-12 students, teachers, and university scholars, often in partnership with UCLA departments and community organizations across Los Angeles County.

Governance and funding

The museum operates under the governance of the University of California, Los Angeles, with guidance from a Board of Directors. Its funding model blends support from the University of California system, significant endowment income, and private philanthropy from individuals, foundations, and corporate partners like Bank of America. Major support for exhibitions and programs comes from entities such as the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. The museum's membership program and benefit events, including its annual Gala, are also critical revenue sources.

Category:Art museums in Los Angeles Category:University of California, Los Angeles Category:Museums established in 1990 Category:Westwood, Los Angeles