When Los Angeles County Museum of Art director Michael Govan took the podium for the first time at the star-studded 14th annual Art + Film Gala, the Dodgers trailed the Toronto Blue Jays by one run in the eighth inning of the final game of the World Series.
There was no giant screen in the huge tent where a decadent dinner was served in honor of the honorees on Saturday night. artist Mary Kors And directed by Ryan Coogler. Instead, guests in elaborate dresses and tuxedos quietly glanced at their phones lying on tables and at the base of flower vases throughout the star-studded room. This was evident when Miguel Rojas hit a game-tying home run in the top of the ninth inning and the entire room erupted in applause.
Michael Govan, CEO of LACMA, wears Gucci and performs on stage during the 2025 LACMA Art+Film Gala.
(Amy Sussman/Getty Images for LACMA)
When Govan returned to the stage to begin a well-deserved tribute to the artist and director of the hour, the game was won, the thunderous applause had died down and the phones had been respectfully put away.
“Go Dodgers!” Govan said, before joking that LACMA orchestrated the victory for the special evening. The room was filled with juices.
It made Los Angeles feel like the center of the universe for a few hours and was a fitting event that is known to bring together the city's two cultural pillars of art and film, creating a sophisticated space where the two worlds mix and mingle in support of a shared vision of recognizing Los Angeles' immeasurable contributions to the global cultural dialogue.
“This is a celebration that can only happen in Los Angeles, where art, film and creativity are deeply intertwined,” Govan said. “I always say this is the most creative place on Earth.”
The event raised a record $6.5 million in support of the museum and its programs. Co-chairs Leonardo DiCaprio and LACMA Trustee Eva Chow hosted a cocktail party and dinner, which was attended by celebrities such as Dustin Hoffman, Cynthia Erivo, Cindy Crawford, Queen Latifah, Angela Bassett, Lorde, Demi Moore, Hannah Einbinder, Charlie Hunnam and Elle Fanning, as well as local elected officials and appointees, including US Rep. Sidney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles). Angeles); Los Angeles County Supervisors Holly Mitchell and Lindsey Horvath; Los Angeles Councilwoman Kathy Yaroslavsky; West Hollywood Councilman John M. Erickson and Christine Sakoda, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture.
Sakoda said she really enjoyed the celebration “as a representative of the incredibly diverse culture of Los Angeles and how it speaks to our entire nation.”
1. George Lucas arrives at the LACMA Art + Film Gala on Saturday. (Jordan Strauss/Invision via Associated Press) 2. Elle Fanning will be at the LACMA Art + Film Gala on Saturday. (Jordan Strauss/Invision via Associated Press) 3. Angela Bassett will be at the LACMA Art + Film Gala on Saturday. (Jordan Strauss/Invision via Associated Press)
Special thanks were given to previous gala honorees, including artists Mark Bradford, James Turrell, Catherine Opie, Betye Saar, Judy Baca, George Lucas and Chan-Wook Park. Also in attendance were leaders from many other local arts institutions, including Hammer Museum Director Zoe Ryan; Director of the California African American Museum Cameron Shaw; and MOCA Interim Director Anne Goldstein.
There was in the background New David Geffen LACMA Galleriesa 110,000-square-foot Peter Zumthor-designed building scheduled to open in April as the new home for the museum's 150,000-item permanent collection.
“Every day I’m in this little building installing thousands of pieces of art,” Govan said to applause. “I can't wait for people to rediscover our permanent collection, from old favorites to new acquisitions. This is a monumental gift to Los Angeles, and beyond Los Angeles County and the public, I would like to thank the man whose generosity brought us to this momentous moment, Mr. David Geffen.”
Geffen sat in a sea of black ties and sparkly dresses next to Disney CEO Bob Iger and DiCaprio, who were photographed attending Game 5 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium earlier this week.
Govan also paid special tribute to former LACMA board co-chair Elaine Wynn, who died earlier this year and was one of the museum's staunchest advocates. Wynn contributed $50 million to the new building, one of the first major gifts to support the project. Govan noted that the north half of the building will be called the Elaine Wynn Wing.
Award winner Ryan Coogler wears Gucci on stage during the 2025 LACMA Art+Film Gala.
(Amy Sussman/Getty Images for LACMA)
Not mentioned was the fact that earlier this week LACMA employees announce the formation of a unionLACMA United, representing more than 300 employees from all departments, including curators, teachers, guest relations and others. One worker told The Times he has no plans to demonstrate at the gala, which raises much-needed funds for the museum.
The crowd sat in awe as the evening's guests of honor, Kors and Kugler, humbly spoke about their journeys in their respective art forms, with Govan introducing them as “artists whose brilliant, innovative work makes us see the world differently.”
The evening ended with a rapturous performance from Doja Cat on an outdoor stage in the shadow of David Geffen's galleries, lights ringing its massive concrete underbelly like stars in the sky.
“It was a beautiful evening of the community coming together around something that reminds us of our common humanity at a time when we need it,” Yaroslavsky said with a smile as the evening came to a close.
