The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles has exceeded its pre-opening fundraising campaign goal of $388 million, with a closing donation from LAIKA.
The $388m includes capital gifts, endowments, funding for education programmes, with the gift from LAIKA taking the Academy Museum over the finish line.
The campaign, which was launched in 2012, is headed by executive chairman of the Walt Disney Company, Bob Iger, alongside co-chairs Annette Bening and Tom Hanks.
“This is a great day for the Academy Museum and the entire world of film,” said Iger. “Thanks to the wonderful generosity of a broad community of donors, and to the commitment of co-chairs Annette Bening and Tom Hanks, we have proudly achieved our goal.
“The way ahead is clear, as we move at full speed toward an unforgettable grand opening in April 2021.”
Campaign is headed by Disney’s Bob Iger
Academy Museum Director and President Bill Kramer announced today that the museum has successfully surpassed its pre-opening fundraising goal of $388 million. https://t.co/9yzzO0kZYY pic.twitter.com/RVNBIhzOhp
— Academy Museum of Motion Pictures (@AcademyMuseum) November 13, 2020
More than 13,000 donors contributed to the campaign, and the largest donation of $50 million came from Cheryl and Haim Saban, with the Saban Building named after them.
The Academy Museum is also now home to the LAIKA Gallery, dedicated to special collections. It will debut with ‘The Path to Cinema: Highlights from the Richard Balzer Collection’. The exhibition will showcase the world’s foremost collection of pre-cinema artefacts.
“Closing this fundraising campaign is an important and exciting milestone for the Academy Museum,” said Bill Kramer, director and president of the Academy Museum.
“We are deeply grateful to our campaign leadership and to our trustees, donors, and partners who have made important commitments to the campaign.”
Academy Museum opening in April 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT7Sfp98ipk
“Their support is helping to make the Academy’s long-held dream of building the world’s premier film museum a reality,” added Kramer.
The Academy Museum previously revealed details of its opening exhibition on Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, launching when the museum opens on April 30, 2021.
“To all the donors who have stepped up to make this happen, on behalf of the board I offer our heartfelt gratitude,” said Ted Sarandos, chair of the board of trustees of the Academy Museum.
Images: Academy Museum
