#1 Art & Design Event (up from #2)
The fund-raiser is only in its fourth year, but after just three previous iterations, it’s already made a major mark on the art world event scene: Last year’s gala raised a record-breaking $4.1 million for the museum, honoring David Hockney and Martin Scorsese. Leonardo DiCaprio co-chaired with Lacma trustee Eva Chow; the celebrity and Hollywood tie-in is a major feature of the gala. Next: Fall 2014
#2 Art & Design Event
This year the big 35th anniversary celebration was sponsored by Louis Vuitton and raised a whopping $2.4 million for the museum. The inventive benefit often has over-the-top creative production, like last year’s homage to marijuana. Next: Spring 2015
#3 Art & Design Event
Billed as the longest-running venue for contemporary, modern, historic, and traditional art in the country, the expo will celebrate its 20th year in 2015. The 2014 show hosted more than 120 galleries and drew more than 50,000 visitors. Next: January 14-18, 2015
#4 Art & Design Event
The Westwood art museum’s event is a major date on the fall social calendar, selling out each year. Last October’s gala honored Robert Gober and Tony Kushner and raised $2 million with 600 guests and catering by chef Suzanne Goin of Lucques. Next: Fall 2014
#5 Art & Design Event (up from #6)
Lacma’s weekend-long program for donors ends with a gala dinner at the museum each spring. This year’s event in April was sponsored by JPMorgan Private Bank and raised a record-breaking $4.1 million toward acquisitions. In its 29 years, the event has made 202 acquisitions through donations totaling more than $32 million. Next: Spring 2015
#6 Art & Design Event
The benefit is the museum's most important fund-raiser and one of the county’s most prominent social events. The 2014 black-tie gala was presented by Louis Vuitton on the Bridge of Gardens at South Coast Plaza—the first-ever event held on the structure. Next: Spring 2015
#7 Art & Design Event (up from #8)
The spring market at the Pacific Design Center is a major West Coast design showcase, with two days of events that debut offerings from among 2,200 product lines presented by 100 showroom manufacturers. Programs and events for more than 3,000 trade participants include partnerships with top shelter publications, editors, and influencers. Next: Spring 2015
#8 Art & Design Event (up from #9)
The event is the museum’s signature fund-raiser and annual springtime flower exhibition. This year included 120 floral interpretations of famous works of art and three days of events drawing more than 10,000. Next: April 24-26, 2015
#9 Art & Design Event (up from #11)
The design event transforms more than 300,000 square feet of exhibition space at the L.A. Convention Center for more than 30,000 attendees. New to this year’s event were the Dwell on Design Pavilions—curated, gallery-like exhibition spaces on the show floor—and the Dwell Store, which allowed attendees to make purchases right from the floor. Next: June 2015
#10 Art & Design Event
This year the photography fair moved to a new venue, the L.A. Mart, offering its biggest event yet and drawing 18,000 attendees. The 23rd installment of the show included works from the 19th century through the present and also included lectures, roundtable discussions, and docent tours. Next year, it will return to downtown, with dates coordinating with the L.A. Art Show. Next: January 15-18, 2015
#11 Art & Design Event
This year gets the theme “the art detective,” focusing on art mysteries and the way art treasures are lost and discovered. Each year at the pageant, people pose to look like the subjects in classical and contemporary artworks, and attendees may also access the art show with 140 local artists’ works. Next: July 6-August 30, 2014
#12 Art & Design Event (up from #13)
The 35th annual event benefitting Venice Family Clinic took place in May, hosting a 350-item silent auction for the cause. The event bills itself as the largest of its kind in Southern California, attracting about 3,000 each year with artist studio tours and a community celebration. Next: May 17, 2015
#13 Art & Design Event (up from #14)
The West Coast art fair will return to Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar for its next go. The event presents 70 top galleries from around the world and attracts more than 12,000. Fair Grounds Associates produces. Next: January 29-February 1, 2015
#14 Art & Design Event (new to the list)
The second annual United States version of global photographic art fair was held this spring, drawing more than 16,000 guests to the Paramount Pictures Studios’s sound stages and New York Street back lot. The public program included special exhibitions, as well as conversations and screenings. Next: April 24-26, 2015
#15 Art & Design Event
The event, with Mission Federal Credit Union as the title sponsor, filled 17 blocks of downtown San Diego in the historic Little Italy district this year with more than 350 artists. The 30th anniversary of the event received a proclamation from Mayor Todd Gloria. Next: April 25-26, 2015
