Santa Monica Museum of Art

Santa Monica Museum of Art
Name	Santa Monica Museum of Art
Established	1984
Dissolved	2015
Location	Bergamot Station Arts Center, Santa Monica, California
Type	Contemporary art museum
Founder	Abigail Asher, Marlene Louchheim

Santa Monica Museum of Art. Founded in 1984, this non-collecting institution was a pivotal force in the Southern California art scene for over three decades. Operating from the Bergamot Station Arts Center, it was renowned for championing experimental and under-recognized artists through innovative exhibitions and public programs. The museum ceased operations in 2015, leaving a significant legacy of artistic risk-taking and community engagement.

History

The museum was co-founded in 1984 by art advisors Abigail Asher and Marlene Louchheim, with early guidance from figures like Henry T. Hopkins. It initially operated from a small space in Santa Monica Place before moving to its long-term home at the Bergamot Station Arts Center in 1994. This relocation coincided with the transformation of the former Pacific Electric rail yard into a major arts complex. Under the directorship of Tom Patchett and later Elsa Longhauser, the institution solidified its reputation for curatorial independence. Its programming often intersected with movements emanating from nearby institutions like the University of California, Los Angeles and the California Institute of the Arts.

Collections and exhibitions

As a non-collecting institution, the museum focused exclusively on temporary exhibitions, allowing for dynamic and often thematic presentations. It provided early or mid-career survey exhibitions for artists such as Lari Pittman, Sharon Lockhart, and Mona Hatoum. The museum was also known for group shows that explored specific cultural moments, like the influential "​​​​*​​​​*​​​​*​​​​" exhibition. It frequently collaborated with guest curators and partnered with organizations like the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Exhibitions often featured interdisciplinary work, incorporating elements of performance art, video art, and social practice.

Architecture and location

The museum occupied a 10,000-square-foot industrial building within the Bergamot Station Arts Center, a campus shared with numerous commercial art galleries and studios. The adaptable, warehouse-like space was emblematic of the Los Angeles artist-loft tradition, allowing for large-scale installations. Its location in Santa Monica placed it within the cultural corridor of the Westside, near venues like the Broad Stage and the Santa Monica College campus. The site's history as a Red Car station provided a tangible link to the regional history of Los Angeles County.

Governance and funding

The museum operated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a board of trustees, which included notable community leaders and philanthropists. It relied on a mix of funding sources, including grants from entities like the National Endowment for the Arts, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, and the City of Santa Monica. Individual donations, membership programs, and special events, such as its annual art auction, were critical to its operating budget. Corporate support occasionally came from Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the greater Los Angeles area.

Notable events and programs

A cornerstone of its programming was the annual fundraising auction, which featured works donated by prominent artists like John Baldessari and Catherine Opie. The museum's "Project Room" series provided a platform for emerging artists to create new, site-specific works. It hosted influential lectures and panels with figures such as Dave Hickey and Helen Molesworth, often in partnership with the Getty Research Institute. Family days and educational workshops engaged the local community, while collaborations with the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District expanded its reach.

Closure and legacy

Facing persistent financial challenges and the expiration of its lease at Bergamot Station Arts Center, the museum's board of trustees voted to cease operations in June 2015. Its final exhibition was a retrospective of works by Llyn Foulkes. The museum's closure was noted as a significant loss in publications like the Los Angeles Times and Artforum. Its legacy of supporting artistic experimentation is carried on by former staff at other institutions and through the archival records housed at the Getty Research Institute. The space was subsequently occupied by the Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, which continues a similar non-collecting mission.

Category:Art museums established in 1984 Category:Art museums disestablished in 2015 Category:Museums in Santa Monica, California Category:Defunct museums in California