Arthur Jafa’s “Bloods II” (2020) is included in the new partnership. (photo © Arthur Jafa, courtesy of the artist and Gladstone Gallery)

The directors of the Hammer Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, announced the creation on Aug. 26 of a jointly owned and managed collection to be founded through the acquisition of 260 artworks from Los Angeles philanthropists Jarl and Pamela Mohn.

The Mohn collection, amassed over the last 19 years, is comprised of paintings, sculptures and mixed-media works by Los Angeles–based artists. The initial gift of artworks starts what will become a continually growing collection, as the Mohns will also create an endowment for annual acquisitions in addition to expenses related to the care and storage of the collection.

The collaboration is called the Mohn Art Collective: Hammer, LACMA, MOCA – or MAC3. In addition to the Mohns’ gift, the Hammer Museum will enhance the MAC3 collection with 80 works previously acquired by the museum through its “Made in L.A.” biennials since 2012. Curators from the three institutions made the collection’s first joint acquisitions by unanimously selecting 16 works from “Made in L.A. 2023: Acts of Living.” The MAC3 collection includes 356 artworks in total.

The co-owned collection establishes a groundbreaking model for institutional collaboration and commitment to directly supporting Los Angeles artists. The gift will enable the three institutions to actively and collectively acquire works by L.A. artists on an annual basis, with acquisitions chosen jointly by curatorial teams from the three museums. Every other year, the acquisitions will come directly out of future editions of the Hammer Museum’s “Made in L.A.” biennial. During the alternating, non-biennial years, curators from the three institutions will identify works for acquisition by visiting studios and exhibitions. The full collection will be available to each institution for display and will prioritize a lending program to encourage the works’ display at other museums around the world.

The existing Mohn Collection includes works by Aria Dean, Rafa Esparza, Lauren Halsey, Luchita Hurtado, Arthur Jafa, Silke Otto-Knapp, Analia Saban, Martine Syms and Kandis Williams, as well as Karon Davis, Mark Grotjahn, Rodney McMillian and Cauleen Smith. The goal is for the collection to grow through contemporary artworks gifted by other collectors and donors.

“Only in L.A., a city that champions experimentation and out-of-the-box thinking, can such an unprecedented joint acquisition be made,” said Michael Govan, CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director of LACMA. “Jarl and Pamela’s generous gift to local museums is a testament to the wonderful friendship and collaboration our three institutions have fostered over the decades, and, more importantly, highlights L.A.’s stature as a vital hub of artistic creativity.”

“Jarl and Pamela Mohn’s passion and generosity for the artists of Los Angeles is simply unparalleled,” Hammer Museum director Ann Philbin said. “Their support helped to launch the ‘Made in L.A.’ biennial 12 years ago and continues to sustain the exhibition well into the future.”

“We are deeply honored to be part of this pioneering initiative that not only celebrates but also nurtures the vibrant and diverse art communities of Los Angeles. The Mohns’ extraordinary gift is a profound commitment to the artists of today and a promise to future generations,” said Johanna Burton, the Maurice Marciano Director of MOCA. “The collection reflects the dynamic creativity and innovation that define our city. And this collaboration allows us to come together to continue supporting and showcasing the incredible talent within our local arts scene, ensuring that our artists’ voices are heard and that their works are seen around the world.”

LACMA is located at 5905 Wilshire Blvd., the Hammer Museum is located at 10899 Wilshire Blvd. and MOCA is located at 250 S. Grand Ave. For information, visit lacma.org, hammer.ucla.edu and moca.org.

(photo © Diedrick Brackens, courtesy of the artist)
Diedrick Brackens’ “nuclear lovers” (2020) is provided courtesy of the artist, Jack Shainman Gallery, New York, and Various Small Fires Los Angeles/Texas/Seoul.