In 2018, our co-founders Lynda and Stewart Resnick gifted the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, California the largest donation in its history – $30 million – to complete its renovation and expansion, including adding two additional floors, a study center, a new gallery, and increasing space by 60%.
The two-decade-long museum transformation culminated in early 2023, introducing the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Cultural Center to the community as a hub for artists and cultural enthusiasts. The Hammer, known for its artist-centric and progressive array of exhibitions and public programs, welcomes visitors for free to the state-of-the-art facility.
The center now offers a broader range of art programs and events catering to people of all ages and backgrounds. From art exhibitions, workshops, seminars, and educational programs, the Resnick Cultural Center has something for everyone, and it will serve as a cultural space that encourages engagement, participation, and dialogue.
The Center is, in many ways, a testament to the Resnicks’ vision to share art with the community. As longtime patrons of the arts in Los Angeles, this contribution expands their impact on the city’s culture that will continue inspiring and hopefully enriching the lives of future generations. And it builds on their other historic gifts to local institutions, including Caltech, UC Davis, LACMA, and UCLA.
Art is a platform for ideas and creative expression that immeasurably benefits humanity, and today that's more important than ever. Stewart and I are proud of our long association with the Hammer and delighted to be part of this next evolution. For generations, the Hammer has championed art and artists who challenge us to see the world in a new light and experience the unexpected. We're thrilled this new space will continue to be part of the Los Angeles landscape and contribute to building a better world where art is available to everyone.
Lynda Resnick
Vice Chairman and co-owner, The Wonderful Company
*The Resnicks, through the Resnick Foundation, pledged $30 million.