Thank You
More than 30 years as your home for the arts!
Thank you, gracias, 谢谢, 감사합니다, շնորհակալություն, متشکریم, תודה, salamat, спасибо, tlazohcamati, yuum bo’otik, cảm ơn for making The Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State LA your home for the arts.
Since 1994, The Luckman has been a meeting point for artists and audiences to come together and celebrate the universal language of creativity. Our diverse offerings have been catalysts for cross-cultural dialogue while shining light on the interconnectedness of the world’s artistic traditions.
Named for noted philanthropists Harriet and Charles Luckman, The Luckman is committed to cultivating an appreciation for the arts by providing a platform for artistic expression and the discovery of different cultures. Over the past 30 years, The Luckman has presented the music, dance, theatre, film, and visual art of nearly 1,000 artists representing more than 60 countries.
We believe that the arts enrich life in ways that nothing else can. The Luckman brings this richness to our students, faculty, staff, and neighbors by connecting our community with the arts in impactful and meaningful ways. Through our programming, The Luckman produces unique engagement opportunities with artists from around the world.
Many Luckman presentations include additional events open to the community: master classes, symposia, lectures, workshops, and screenings. In-person artist talks and our original series, Luckman Sessions, offer rare opportunities to delve deeper into the content of our programming, bringing the art closer to the audience. These initiatives promote unique cultural experiences and, we hope, a deeper appreciation for the artistic process. We believe in the distinct creative spirit in each of us that nourishes our humanity and enriches our community and society.
As we look forward to the next chapter of our journey, we remain committed to the transformative power of the art — to inspire, to challenge, and to bring us closer together.
On behalf of the entire Luckman team, thank you for your patronage. It is your continued support that validates our commitment to the belief that the arts enrich life in ways nothing else can.
Nicholas A. Mestas
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
30th Anniversary Sponsors
We are grateful to the sponsors of our 30th anniversary season, whose generosity supports our role in encouraging people of all backgrounds, ages, and skill levels to explore and participate in the arts.
Star Sponsor
Chin Family Foundation
VIP Sponsors
Cal State LA Emeriti Association
Cal State LA University-Student Union
José A. Gómez, Ph.D.
Michael and Debe Lucki
Peter Quan
Raiford Rogers
Charon D’Aiello Sandoval and David Sandoval
Tom and Marilyn Sutton
Support The Luckman
Your generous support enables access to the arts and fosters a vibrant cultural community — enriching lives, inspiring creativity, and creating a more inclusive and connected society for all.
To learn more about ways you can donate, please click here.
Leadership
Nicholas A. Mestas is the third and current Executive Director of The Luckman Fine Arts Complex.
Prior to his tenure, The Luckman was under the leadership of Wendy A. Baker from 2006 to 2021 and Clifford Harper from 1994 to 2005.
Their visionary direction contributed significantly to the Complex’s reputation as a premier destination for world-class arts experiences.
Major Contributors
The Ahmanson Foundation
The J. Paul Getty Trust
The Republic of China
The Times Mirror Foundation
MCA Foundation
American International Bank
Mary Levin Cutler
Michael, Debe, and Justin Lucki
Hollywood Foreign Press Association
Melville Corporation
Sidney Stern Trust
Coca-Cola Foundation
Setsu and Alex Carter
Los Angeles Marathon
Northrup Corporation
Supporting Institutions
New England Foundation for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts
The Luckman Permanent Collection
The Luckman features an impressive permanent collection of paintings, sculptures, photographs, videos, and prints – including works by Andy Warhol, Alexander Calder, José Sacal, Corita Kent, Alexandra Nichita, Raúl Anguiano, and Antoni Gaudí, among others.
We consider loan requests from accredited, insured institutions with qualified staff and appropriate facilities.
The Luckman Jazz Orchestra
The Luckman Jazz Orchestra’s primary objective is to preserve and expand the art form of orchestral jazz. Since its inception in 2000, and with early support from the National Endowment for the Arts, The LJO has showcased new works that push the boundaries of the genre while also exploring classic jazz masterpieces.
The City of Los Angeles’ Department of Cultural Affairs has engaged The Luckman Jazz Orchestra on two notable occasions: once to travel to São Paulo for a sister city celebration and another time for a weeklong residency in Berlin. During their time in Germany, The LJO worked with a youth ensemble and performed at the historic Town Hall in former East Berlin.
Throughout its history, it has included some of the most talented jazz musicians in the world: James Newton, James Ford, Bennie Maupin, Alberto Salas, Nolan Shaheed, Charles Owens, Theo Saunders, George McMullen, John Beasley, Fred Jackson, Brian Swartz, Jacques Voyemant, William Roper, Kenny Elliott, Pablo Calogero, Will Miller, Christian Moraga, Dereck McLyn, Lee Secard, Louis Taylor, Phil Ranelin, Steven Cotter, and more.
Luckman Sessions
Created and produced entirely in-house, Luckman Sessions is our streaming series featuring a curated selection of the finest domestic and global art and culture. This dynamic series showcases an eclectic mix of performances, interviews, and behind-the-scenes glimpses, all captured in full-scale cinematic quality.
Filmed on location at The Luckman and at locations across the country and around the globe, each episode brings the world of art to your screen.
All episodes are free to stream — anywhere, anytime.
Stream Now
LuckmanPlus
The LuckmanPlus program is our education, outreach, and engagement initiative that connects students and community members with the arts in profound and meaningful ways. Through the program, The Luckman produces one-of-a-kind events and extraordinary opportunities for direct engagement with world-renowned artists.
Many of our presentations include supplemental events open to the public, such as master classes, symposia, lectures, workshops, and screenings. Past events have featured inspiring figures such as Chaka Khan in an artist talk, Ido Tadmor (artistic director, Israel Ballet) and Salvador López (director, Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández) in master classes, Anouk van Dijk (founder, anoukvandijk dc, Amsterdam) in a workshop, and a violin lecture-demonstration with Iva Bittová (Czech Republic), among others.
The Luckman is dedicated to cultivating an appreciation for the arts and offering a platform for both the development of artistic expression and the exploration of new cultures. A cornerstone of the LuckmanPlus program is the annual World Arts Day, launched in 2008. This event invites the community to engage in hands-on, interactive arts activities that celebrate cultures from around the world. Each activity, designed for all ages and experience levels, provides a unique opportunity to dive into the artistic process in a welcoming and inclusive environment, guided by a master artist.
Throughout the season, The Luckman also hosts artist talks that offer rare opportunities to engage deeply with the international programming on our stage. These intimate exchanges enhance the audience’s experience, providing a richer understanding of the art and the artists behind it. We believe in the transformative power of the creative spirit to nourish humanity and enrich our communities. The LuckmanPlus program embodies this belief, inviting individuals from all walks of life to explore, experiment, and connect with the arts in ways that foster a creative and inclusive culture.