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February 12, 2008

A Donor's Presence Looms Large on L.A. Museum Scene

After an abrupt reversal by a major donor recently, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art has had to defend itself and its ambitious plans to become one of the premiere art museums in the world, reports The New York Times.

Eli Broad — whose name graces, and whose fortune paid for, the museum’s new campus to house contemporary art — seemed likely to donate his entire collection to the museum, part of his very public plan to remake Los Angeles as a world art capital. But late last year, Mr. Broad announced he would give his collection to a new foundation instead, and only lend the work to the Los Angeles County Museum, among other institutions.

This has led to a delicate situation for the museum, which must assert its independence from Mr. Broad while still courting him as a donor, perhaps even trying to convince him to change his mind.

Mr. Broad and his wife, Edythe, ranked No. 10 on The Chronicle’s list of the most-generous donors of 2007.

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