Marciano Art Foundation - A Look Inside Los Angeles's Art Hub

The Marciano Art Foundation, a notable spot for contemporary art in Los Angeles, holds a fascinating story, one that begins with a transformation. This unique place, once a Scottish Rite Masonic Temple, has become a home for art that truly captures the spirit of our time. It is, in a way, a testament to how old structures can find new purpose, inviting people to experience art in a setting that feels both grand and, you know, quite special.

When it first opened its doors in 2017, the Marciano Art Foundation was greeted with considerable excitement, heralded as a fresh cultural destination for the city. People were eager to see what this new center would offer, expecting it to become a regular fixture in the local art scene. Its arrival seemed to promise a new chapter for art lovers, a place where current artistic expressions could find a prominent stage, and that, is that, something everyone looked forward to.

Yet, its journey took an unexpected turn, leading to an abrupt and, some might say, rather mysterious closure less than three years after its grand opening. This sudden pause left many wondering about the future of this promising art space. It has, however, made a return, and its story continues to unfold, showing a dedication to sharing art with everyone who comes to visit, which is, you know, a good thing for the community.

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Table of Contents

• The Marciano Art Foundation - What is its Story?
• A Look at the Marciano Art Foundation - Its Purpose
• The Marciano Art Foundation - What Happened in 2019?
• Where is the Marciano Art Foundation Found?
• Is the Marciano Art Foundation Open Again?
• Who Supports the Marciano Art Foundation?
• The Marciano Art Foundation and Its Collection
• Hosting Special Shows at the Marciano Art Foundation

The Marciano Art Foundation - What is its Story?

The Marciano Art Foundation is, you know, a contemporary art space that found its home in a building with a truly interesting past. It occupies what was once a Masonic Temple in Los Angeles, a structure originally put together in 1961. This building, a Scottish Rite Masonic Temple, was initially put into place by the architect Millard Sheets, so it has a history that goes back a bit. The foundation then took this big, old building, which has more than 100,000 square feet of space, and gave it a new life. It was completely made over and brought up to date by Kulapat Yantrasast of WHY, transforming it into the art setting we see today. This change from a place of fraternal gathering to a public art display is, in a way, quite a remarkable shift, showing how buildings can adapt and, you know, serve different community needs over time.

A Look at the Marciano Art Foundation - Its Purpose

The Marciano Art Foundation, at its heart, is all about encouraging a spirit where creative people can work together and feel free to express themselves. It does this by making the distinct areas of its historic building available to a wide range of individuals and groups. This includes artists, various art organizations, and other creative collectives. The idea is for these groups to use the spaces to bring to life fresh and original projects, as well as public programs, and this happens, you know, on a regular basis. So, it's not just a place to see art; it’s also a hub where new art can be made and shared, fostering a lively exchange of ideas and expressions. It truly wants to be a place where creativity can, in some respects, really flourish for everyone involved.

The Marciano Art Foundation - What Happened in 2019?

The Marciano Art Foundation, which opened with such fanfare in 2017 as Los Angeles's newest spot for culture, experienced a rather sudden and, you know, quite mysterious closure in 2019. This happened less than three years after it first welcomed visitors. The museum, located on Wilshire Boulevard, announced it was shutting down for an indefinite period, stating that low attendance was the reason. However, this closure came right after its staff members made known their intention to form a union. Former employees have, in fact, suggested that the decision to close was a response by the Marciano brothers, who are known for founding the clothing company Guess, to the unionization efforts. This turn of events certainly added a layer of complexity to the foundation's early history, leaving many to wonder about the true circumstances behind its temporary departure from the art scene. It's a situation that, basically, generated a lot of discussion at the time.

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Where is the Marciano Art Foundation Found?

For those looking to visit or simply curious about its whereabouts, the Marciano Art Foundation is situated in a rather accessible part of Los Angeles. You can find it about three blocks to the west of the intersection where Crenshaw Boulevard meets Wilshire Boulevard. It sits on the north side of Wilshire Boulevard, making it, you know, quite visible to anyone passing by. Its location in the Windsor Square neighborhood of Los Angeles is also quite fitting, as it is an area with a good deal of history and character. The foundation inaugurated its permanent exhibition space in this spot during the spring of 2017, establishing its presence in a well-known part of the city. So, if you're ever in that area, it's pretty easy to spot, actually.

Is the Marciano Art Foundation Open Again?

Following its rather abrupt closure in 2019, many people in Los Angeles and beyond wondered if the Marciano Art Foundation would ever truly reopen its doors. The good news is, yes, it appears to be back. The space now keeps regular public hours, allowing visitors to once again experience its unique offerings. Furthermore, a new director, Hanneke Skerath, has been appointed, which typically signals a renewed commitment to its mission and future operations. This return is, in a way, a positive development for the local art community, bringing back a significant venue for contemporary art. It shows that, perhaps, even after a period of uncertainty, places dedicated to culture can find their way back to serving the public, which is, you know, something to be happy about.

Who Supports the Marciano Art Foundation?

The presentation of art at the Marciano Art Foundation receives backing from a few important sources. Support comes from Franz and Vicki von Holzhausen, who play a part in helping the foundation bring its exhibitions to life. Mary and David Martin, along with MADWORKSHOP, also lend their assistance, contributing to the foundation's ability to showcase various artistic endeavors. Additionally, the Burger Collection Hong Kong, represented by Monique and Max Burger, provides support. These contributions are, you know, quite important, as they help ensure that the Marciano Art Foundation can continue to offer its programs and display its collection to the public. It really takes a community of supporters to keep such a place going, and these individuals and groups are, basically, helping to make that happen.

The Marciano Art Foundation and Its Collection

The Marciano Art Foundation is home to a rather extensive collection of contemporary art, with more than 1,500 works. This substantial collection means there's a lot for visitors to see and experience, covering a wide range of artistic expressions from our current time. Beyond just displaying these pieces, the foundation also continues to support artists who are currently creating work. This dedication to living artists is, in a way, a very important part of its mission, as it helps to encourage new art and keep the contemporary art scene vibrant. It's not just about what has been made, but also about what is being made now and what will be made in the future. So, you know, it's a place that looks both at the art of today and helps shape the art of tomorrow, which is, you know, a pretty cool thing.

The Marciano Art Foundation also plays a role in sharing its collection with other institutions. It considers requests for loans of artworks, but these requests must come from institutions that are officially recognized or those that have similar qualifications in terms of their facilities. When an artwork is loaned out, the institution borrowing it is responsible for covering all the related costs. This includes the expenses for packing the artworks safely, transporting them to and from all the different locations, handling them with proper care, and making sure they are insured while they are being moved and during the time they are on display. Each request for a loan is looked at individually, so, you know, it's not a one-size-fits-all process. This careful approach helps to ensure that the artworks are well cared for, no matter where they are being shown, which is, you know, quite important for preserving them.

Hosting Special Shows at the Marciano Art Foundation

Beyond its permanent collection, the Marciano Art Foundation also brings in special shows to its spaces. It was, for example, quite pleased to announce its third MAF project, which took place in the theater gallery. This particular project was a solo exhibition featuring the work of the well-known Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. His show was available for people to see from September 28, 2018, until March 3, 2019. Hosting exhibitions like this one allows the foundation to present a diverse range of artists and their ideas to the public, offering new experiences beyond its own collection. It's a way for the foundation to keep things fresh and, you know, bring different perspectives to the art lovers of Los Angeles. These temporary shows are, basically, a chance for visitors to see something new and perhaps even, you know, something they might not expect.