The Luckman
The Luckman Fine Arts Complex is where the transformative power of the arts is celebrated, elevated, and made available for all. On stage, on view, on demand: we present professional music, dance, theatre, and visual arts from around the world.
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 until 2021 and Clifford Harper from 1994 until 2005. Their visionary direction contributed significantly to the Complex’s reputation as a premier destination for world-class arts experiences.
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
New England Foundation for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts
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’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.
Our History
Since 1994, The Luckman has been a vibrant cultural hub and has played a pivotal role in enriching the cultural fabric of Los Angeles.
When plans for the $22 million⁽¹⁾ facility were unveiled in March of 1988, the promotion and presentation of professional art forms was cemented into its master plan. Construction began less than a year later.
The State of California authorized the expenditure of $14 million⁽²⁾ toward construction; the remaining $7 million⁽³⁾ was raised privately.
Internationally renowned architect Charles Luckman and his wife, Harriet, generously contributed $2.1 million⁽⁴⁾ and took a leadership role in making it a reality at Cal State LA. Other major gifts were from The Ahmanson Foundation and the J. Paul Getty Trust.
The grand opening took place in November of 1994 and featured a performance by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen.
Amounts in 2024 dollars, adjusted for inflation:
⁽¹⁾ $58.4 million; ⁽²⁾ $37.2 million; ⁽³⁾ $18.6 million; and ⁽⁴⁾ $5.6 million.
After graduating with a degree in architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Luckman initially pursued a business career, joining Lever Brothers in 1935. He became the company’s president by the age of thirty and played major roles in the successes of iconic products like Pepsodent and Lifebuoy, and in June of 1946, he was featured on the cover of Time Magazine.
When he left the company in 1950, he embarked on an illustrious architectural career, first establishing the firm Pereira & Luckman and later Charles Luckman & Associates. Luckman designed some of the nation’s most emblematic buildings and facilities:
Madison Square Garden in New York City; NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral; Prudential Tower in Boston; Aloha Stadium near Honolulu; the original Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim; the master plan and expansion of UC Santa Barbara; the Theme Building at Los Angeles International Airport, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, CBS Television City, the Aon Center skyscraper, The Forum, and the Federal Building in Los Angeles; as well as Luckman Plaza (now 9200 Sunset) in West Hollywood – home to the Soho House, which occupies the Luckman family’s former residence on its penthouse levels.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Charles Luckman dedicated considerable time to civic and humanitarian causes. President Truman appointed him to the Committee on Civil Rights, the task force that laid the groundwork for future civil rights advancements in the United States. Truman later named him chairman of the Citizens Food Committee, addressing food shortages in post-war Europe. He also served as director of the Freedom Train Program, which aided in the reconstruction of Europe. During his twenty-two years on the California State Board of Trustees, he served twice as chair. A passionate advocate of the arts and education, he served as president of the Los Angeles Ballet and chairman of UCLA’s Brain Research Institute board of directors.
Charles Luckman was awarded several prestigious honors, including the Order of St. John from Britain, the Legion of Honor from France, and the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity from Italy.
The Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State LA is proud to bear a name that continues to inspire, impact, and influence.
Harriet McElroy Luckman (1908-2003) was known for her extensive volunteer work and philanthropy supporting various cultural, scientific, and social causes. Her life was characterized by her unwavering dedication to her community, her generosity, and her leadership in numerous organizations. Her contributions have left a lasting mark on the cultural, scientific, and social fabric of this city. As soon as she and her husband moved to Los Angeles in 1949, she set out to create the positive change she wished to see in the world.
She was the founder and president of Achievement Rewards for College Scientists, an organization that provided crucial financial support to promising young scholars in the fields of science, engineering, and medicine – ensuring that their groundbreaking research and innovations could flourish. Mrs. Luckman also served as an active member of the Los Angeles Orphanage Guild, where she leveraged her influence and resources to improve the lives of vulnerable children. At the California Museum of Science and Industry, she played a pivotal role in shaping the institution’s mission and programming.
She dedicated significant time to community organizations, such as Les Dames de Champagne, the American Women of International Understanding, and the Bel-Air Garden Club. Through these diverse endeavors, Luckman demonstrated a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of various social, educational, and environmental issues, and she worked tirelessly to address them with an unwavering spirit of service. In 1989, Mrs. Luckman was the recipient of the YMCA’s prestigious Athena Award, which honored remarkable dedication and exemplary volunteerism.
Beyond her public ventures, Mrs. Luckman made a mark in Los Angeles with her distinctive style. One of the most beloved symbols of her presence in the city is her 1957 powder blue Thunderbird, which she drove around Los Angeles for decades. The classic car was donated to the Petersen Automotive Museum where it remains on display today as a symbol of Southern California’s classic mid-century aesthetic.
The Luckman was designed by The Luckman Partnership, Inc. who sought to reflect the beauty and strength of “old” California. Characterized by sun-drenched brick buildings and a tiered street of dramatic arches and columns. The Luckman has been described as a perfect blend of the old and the new: reminiscent of a Roman forum while maintaining the glorious spaciousness that defines Southern California.
Selected stage highlights:
India Arie, Ballet Folklórico de México, Beijing Dance/LDTX, Kishi Bashi, Iva Bittová, Jane Birkin, Goran Bregovic, Carla Bruni, Buika, Carminho, Diego el Cigala, Cocorosie, Compañía Nacional de Danza de España, Lila Downs, Melissa Etheridge, Farruquito, Andy García, Gloria Gaynor, Martha Graham Dance Company, Seu Jorge, Etta James, Rickie Lee Jones, Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, Angélique Kidjo, Chaka Khan, Yasmin Levy, Taj Mahal, Mariza, Matisyahu, Sergio Mendes, Aaron Neville, Les Nubians, Eddie Palmieri, Itzhak Perlman, Paco Peña, Madeleine Peyroux, Idan Raichel, Dianne Reeves, Rodriguez, Isabella Rossellini, Anoushka Shankar, Patrick Stewart, Yann Tiersen, Tinariwen, Chucho Valdés, Julieta Venegas, John Waters, Dionne Warwick.
Selected exhibition highlights:
Jennifer Bolande, Kim Dingle, Kim Jones, Corita Kent, George Kuchar, Tu-2, Bruce Yamamoto, Andy Warhol.
Our Venues
The Luckman Theatre
With a seating capacity of 1,152, our beautiful state-of-the-art theatre can also be converted into a 624-seat or a 500-seat house. It features premier acoustics, excellent sightlines, a 48-foot wide proscenium, a mechanically operated orchestra pit for sixty musicians, and cinematic projection capabilities.
The Street of the Arts
The Street of the Arts is our grand esplanade complete with an amphitheater linking The Luckman Theatre, The Luckman Gallery, and The Intimate Theatre. Fourteen towering arches frame a sweeping view of the San Gabriel Mountains.
The Luckman Gallery
The 3,600-square-foot Luckman Gallery presents exhibitions that represent a diverse selection of artists. It is home to the Luckman Permanent Collection of over 500 works by Andy Warhol, Alexander Calder, José Sacal, Corita Kent, Alexandra Nichita, Raúl Anguiano, and more.
The Intimate Theatre
The Intimate Theatre’s modular seating configurations allow it to adapt to an array of formats: proscenium, thrust, or in-the-round. It has hosted concerts, film festivals, theatrical productions, live radio broadcasts, and a televised US presidential forum.
A message from the Executive Director
A message from the
Executive Director
Welcome!
¡Bienvenidos!
欢迎光临!
Բարի գալուստ!
환영합니다!
Throughout our thirty years of presenting music, dance, theatre, and visual art, 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 a catalyst for cross-cultural dialogue while shining light on the interconnectedness of the world’s artistic traditions.
Over the years, we have presented nearly one thousand artists representing more than sixty countries — each one contributing to the rich diversity that defines the dynamic cultural landscape of our community. Being an integral part of this community is important to us. Your support validates our belief that the arts enrich life in ways nothing else can.
Thank you / gracias / 谢谢 / 감사합니다 / շնորհակալություն for making The Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State LA your home for professional arts experiences.
Nicholas A. Mestas
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Our Staff
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Welcome!
¡Bienvenidos!
欢迎光临!
Բարի գալուստ!
환영합니다!
Welcome!
¡Bienvenidos!
欢迎光临!
Բարի գալուստ!
환영합니다!
Manager, Executive Office
Judy Wynne
Operations Manager
Teresa Uscanga
Business Manager
Henry Harris
Patron Service Manager
Rogelio Ramirez
Marketing Manager
Justin Cone
Gallery Manager
Aaron Gomez
Communications Manager
Kenny To
Production Manager
Rico Garcia
Our Staff
Henry Harris
Business ManagerTeresa Uscanga
Operations ManagerRogelio Ramirez
Patron Service ManagerJustin Cone
Marketing ManagerAaron Gomez
Gallery ManagerKenny To
Company ManagerRico Garcia
Production ManagerHenry Harris
Business ManagerTeresa Uscanga
Operations ManagerJudy Wynn
Manager, Executive OfficeRogelio Ramirez
Patron Services ManagerRico Garcia
Production ManagerAaron Gomez
Gallery ManagerJustin Cone
Marketing ManagerKenny To
Company ManagerWant to join our team?
View open positions here.
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