Steve Martin Donates $1M to Art Collection

[Placebo]

Entertainer Steve Martin donated $1 million to the American art collection at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens.

The gift is seen as a boon for a department traditionally overshadowed by the museum's European collections. Additionally, a new gallery opening this spring will eventually double the exhibition space for American art.

Three-fourths of the gift, which will be made over five years, will be used to put on American art exhibitions, and the remaining $250,000 will likely be used for acquisitions or exhibitions. "It's extremely rewarding to have someone outside of the core group of supporters understand what we're doing and see how they can help and really make a difference," said Jessica Todd Smith, The Huntington's curator of American art.

Martin is a serious art collector whose acquisitions have included works by Roy Lichtenstein, Pablo Picasso, Edward Hopper and Georges Seurat.

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[GRLMGC]

1. They have good tea there

:)

Good to hear the arts are being partronized.

[Fenris]

2. An excellent collection they have there.

The gardens are quite magnifcent in the spring as well.

[AP]

3. Didn't the Huntington suffer a big heist a couple years ago?

Did they ever get back the works that were stolen?

I guess I could google...

[Book Lover]

4. Hey, thanks Steve!

This American artist thanks you, sir.

[indigobusiness]

5. The man's a mensch.

Did I spell that right?

[flamingyouth]

6. I love that place - it's really lovely

Thanks, Steve. :D