Dear Friends of MOCA,
I write to you today with a deep sense of solidarity and gratitude during these unprecedented times. The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have devastated our community, leaving artists, art workers, and countless others grappling with loss and uncertainty. At MOCA, we remain steadfast in our mission to support the arts and our community.
I am proud to announce MOCA’s participation in the newly established LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund to assist artists and art workers affected by the fires. With over $11.5 million raised to date, this emergency initiative, created by a coalition of major arts organizations and philanthropists in Los Angeles, led by the J. Paul Getty Trust, includes the Mohn Art Collective (MOCA, Hammer, and LACMA) in partnership with East West Bank, as well as numerous individuals and foundations including Maria Seferian, chair of MOCA’s board of trustees, MOCA trustee Karyn Kohl (with Terri and Jerry Kohl), the Mellon Foundation, the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, the Teiger Foundation, and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, serving as a lifeline for those who have lost homes, studios, archives, and livelihoods.
Beginning Monday, January 20, artists and arts workers in all disciplines who have been impacted by the fires can go to http://www.cciarts.org to apply for an emergency grant. I also urge you to learn more about this crucial initiative and contribute to its growth by visiting the fund’s website. The process is being designed with an understanding of the need to get funds to impacted individuals as rapidly as possible.
I want to be sure to note that beyond this fund, our arts community has mobilized in remarkable ways to offer additional support. Efforts include the Art World Fire Relief LA GoFundMe campaign, the Craft Emergency Relief Fund, the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort to Support Music Professionals of the Recording Academy and MusiCares, as well as initiatives by the Motion Picture Television Fund and others. These programs demonstrate the resilience and compassion that define our community.
I am also thrilled to share that MOCA will reopen tomorrow at both of our locations. Our galleries at MOCA Grand Avenue and The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA are ready to welcome you back, thanks to the tireless work of our security and operations teams, who have safeguarded the museum during this crisis, ensuring the safety of our facilities and galleries. Their dedication has ensured that MOCA remains a sanctuary for art, reflection, and healing.
Through Sunday, January 19, we are also offering free admission to our acclaimed special exhibition Olafur Eliasson: OPEN, on view at The Geffen Contemporary. As Los Angeles Times art critic Christopher Knight recently wrote in a superlative review of OPEN: “The generosity of such a project can’t be overstated, and it’s nothing short of exhilarating.” We hope it will offer a moment of respite for those seeking a space for reflection and inspiration during these difficult times. As always, through the generosity of MOCA Trustee Carolyn Clark Powers, general admission to MOCA Grand Avenue is free for all, and we invite you to discover or rediscover our critically-acclaimed current exhibitions Ordinary People: Photorealism and the Work of Art since 1968 and MOCA Focus: Ana Segovia. We are also currently installing Diary of Flowers: Artists and their Worlds, featuring works from our extraordinary collection. The exhibition, which debuts on March 2, highlights artists’ ability to conjure and imagine landscapes in dialogue with, but at a distance from, daily realities and challenges. I imagine this, too, will be a show that our audiences will gravitate to and appreciate as we rebuild our city and our lives.
As we take this step forward, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the first responders who have risked their lives to protect our city and its people. Their bravery and commitment inspire us all, and we owe them and everyone who has aided in abetting this unthinkable situation an immense debt of gratitude.
In times like these, the power of art becomes even more evident. Art provides a space for connection, understanding, and hope. As we rebuild together, I know that MOCA will continue to be a cornerstone of our community—a place where we come together to share, create, and imagine brighter futures.
Let us carry this spirit of resilience into the days ahead as we move towards recovery. Our museum–with its family of artists, audiences, workers, and friends–is more crucial than ever as a resource and platform. With your support, I am confident that we will emerge stronger, united by our shared commitment to the arts and each other.
Warm regards,
Johanna Burton
Maurice Marciano Director
The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles
