#1 Art & Design Event
Only five years old, the gala hit the ground running in the art world, bringing in millions each year for the museum; last year’s iteration brought in $3.85 million. This year, Lacma is celebrating its 50th anniversary—and will hold a second special April gala as well. Next: Fall 2015
#2 Art & Design Event
The inventive benefit often gets buzz going with its over-the-top creative production, like decor homages to marijuana or human heads staring back from tabletops. Last year’s big 35th anniversary celebration sponsored by Louis Vuitton raised $2.4 million for the museum. Next: May 30, 2015
#3 Art & Design Event
The 20-year-old show takes over 200,000 square feet at the Los Angeles Convention Center, with 20,000 works of art and 56,000 visitors. It’s billed as the longest-running venue for contemporary, modern, historic, and traditional art in the country. And it pulls in $30 million in sales, plus five billion media impressions. Next: January 27-31, 2016
#4 Art & Design Event
The art museum’s event last year honored Joni Mitchell and artist Mark Bradford with sponsorship from Bottega Veneta and a menu by Suzanne Goin and Lucques. It raised a record $2.5 million. The Westwood gala is a major date on the fall social calendar, selling out each year. Next: October 10, 2015
#6 Art & Design Event
One of Orange County’s most recognized social events, the Art of Dining is also the museum’s most significant fund-raiser each year. The black-tie gala last year was presented by Louis Vuitton, and it was the first-ever event held on the Bridge of Gardens at South Coast Plaza. Next: May 30, 2015
#8 Art & Design Event
The springtime flower exhibition is the museum’s signature fund-raiser. Last year’s program included 120 floral interpretations of famous works of art and three days of events. More than 10,000 people attended. Next: April 24-26, 2015
#9 Art & Design Event
The three-day exhibition and conference at the Los Angeles Convention Center draws speakers, product demonstrations, continuing education classes, and seminars. It includes 400 exhibitors over 250,000 square feet of exhibition space and 250 speakers on three stages, plus five full-scale prefab homes. Next: May 29-31, 2015
#11 Art & Design Event
This year’s theme will be “the pursuit of happiness,” which will explore concepts both ancient and current. The annual event includes a stage show comprising people who pose as the subjects in modern and historic artworks. The accompanying festival includes the works of 140 local artists and is one of the country’s oldest juried fine art shows. Next: July 8-August 31, 2015
#13 Art & Design Event
The West Coast art fair at Santa Monica’s Barker Hanger presents 70 top galleries from around the world and attracts more than 12,000 attendees. Fair Grounds Associates produces the event. Next: January 2016
#15 Art & Design Event
Mission Federal Credit Union is the title sponsor for the annual event, which last year filled 17 blocks of Little Italy in downtown San Diego. More than 350 artists participated in the 30th anniversary year. Next: April 25-26, 2015
