Ann Philbin — Hammer Museum at UCLA

Director

THE LATEST: After being closed for more than a year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Hammer Museum reopened in April. The museum has raised $130 million of its $180 million goal in a capital campaign launched by Philbin to redesign the Hammer and increase gallery space by 60%. In 2020, Philbin was one of 276 artists, scientists and leaders in the nonprofit, public and private sectors inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
BACKGROUND: Philbin, who became director of the Hammer in 1999, has overseen the formation of the Hammer Contemporary Collection, which holds more than 2,000 artworks. She has also overseen substantial renovations to the museum itself, including completion of the 300-seat Billy Wilder Theater and the museum cafe. Under Philbin’s direction, the museum instituted the acclaimed Hammer Projects, a series of more than 100 contemporary exhibitions and installations. In 2014, Philbin eliminated admission fees for the museum.
YEARS ON THE LA500: 4
Return to the 2021 edition of the LA500.