Building on a legacy of artists

Art has the power to open minds and lift communities. From roadside murals to the Renaissance masters, art’s ability to illuminate the human condition can lead to greater understanding and compassion for the planet—and the people—around us.  

This belief in the power of art to unite and inspire has long guided the Resnicks’ efforts to build healthier, more resilient communities, particularly in their home state of California. As part of this effort, they established the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Endowed Chair in Art at the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture in 2019. As of 2023, world-renowned photographer Catherine Opie holds the position.

From examining residential interiors to documenting her own sexuality and relationship to motherhood, her works have always challenged viewers to rethink what it means to live in contemporary America.

A recipient of the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art Medal, Opie has had work featured at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, the Hammer Museum at UCLA, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, among other renowned cultural institutions.

This gift builds on the Resnicks’ long history of promoting the education and careers of young artists.

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