#1 Art & Design Event
With only five annual events under its belt, Lacma’s bash quickly became a force on the scene. The 2015 Gucci-sponsored event honoring artist James Turrell and director Alejandro G. Iñárritu was co-chaired by trustee Eva Chow and actor Leonardo DiCaprio. It brought together 600 guests from the art, film, fashion, and entertainment worlds—raising a whopping $4 million for the museum. Next: Fall 2016
#2 Art & Design Event
In 2016, the annual gala at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA will honor Ed Ruscha, and the exhibition on view will be “Don’t Look Back: The 1990s at MOCA.” Last year’s 36th annual event presented by Louis Vuitton raised more than $3 million—up from $2.4 million the previous year—among 770 guests. Next: May 14, 2016
#3 Art & Design Event
The winter show is billed as the world’s largest and longest running of its kind—with 150,000 square feet of exhibition space and nearly 60,000 attendees last year. For the 21st iteration in January 2016, the show had new dates, a new hall, and a new curatorial direction. It opened with a benefit for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Next: January 11-15, 2017
#4 Art & Design Event
The Hammer Museum brings together cultural and civic leaders, artists, collectors, patrons of the arts, and entertainment-world names to its annual gala. Last year’s 13th annual event raised $2.5 million to support the museum’s exhibitions and public programs, which are always free to the public; Bottega Veneta returned as sponsor. More than 600 guests attended the event, held in the museum’s courtyard, which honored artist Paul McCarthy and Diane Keaton, featured tribute speeches by Matthew Barney and Emma Stone, and had a performance by Aloe Blacc. Next: October 8, 2016
#5 Art & Design Event (up from #6)
It is the museum's most important fund-raiser, as well as one of Orange County's biggest social events. Presented by Louis Vuitton, this year's black-tie affair will take place at the museum’s future site at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. It’s the first on-site celebration of the museum's move to its new home and will honor artist Marilyn Minter. Next: May 21, 2016
#6 Art & Design Event
The weekend-long event for Lacma donors ends with a gala dinner at the museum each spring. After a temporary format change last year—given the museum held a 50th anniversary gala in its stead—the event returns to its traditional format in 2016. Next: April 15-16, 2016
#7 Art & Design Event (up from #8)
The spring event, a signature fund-raiser for the San Diego institution, will celebrate its 35th year this season, with installations and programs that take inspiration from the spring exhibition “Brush and Ink” as well as the museum’s collection of Asian art. At the fund-raiser and floral exhibition, designers Ben Lucero and Jim Lennox from Pacific Event Productions will create a rotunda design inspired by the element of fire. Last year, the event drew 12,500 attendees, up from 10,000 in 2014, and raised $1 million. Next: April 29-May 1, 2016
#9 Art & Design Event
The design event, curated by the editors of Dwell, takes place annually at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Last year, more than 30,000 people attended the three-day modern home show to see new products and industry leaders and interact with thousands of experts in the field of design and beyond. Next: June 24-26, 2016
#10 Art & Design Event
The international photographic art expo celebrated its 25th anniversary in January at the Reef, located in the L.A. Mart building. The fair kicked off with an opening-night gala held in honor of artist James Welling, with proceeds benefiting Best Buddies International. The program includes lectures, roundtable discussions, special installations, and docent tours. It is billed as one of the largest and longest-running expos of photographic art in the world. Next: January 2017
#11 Art & Design Event
The theme for this year’s Pageant of the Masters will be “Partners,” and the unique event includes a stage show made up of real people posing to look exactly like their counterparts in modern and historic artworks. The accompanying festival includes the works of 140 local artists, and—at more than eight decades old—it’s one of the country’s oldest juried fine art shows. The events’ proceeds support arts in Orange County. Next: July 5-August 31, 2016
#12 Art & Design Event
Established and emerging contemporary artists and volunteers come together for the event, the approximate annual take for which is more than $750,000; funds raised go towards health care for the 23,000 low-income, uninsured, and homeless patients of Venice Family Clinic. The fund-raiser is held at Google Los Angeles, is free and open to the public, and includes a contemporary silent art auction. The event also includes artist studio tours, artisan shops, family activities, entertainment, music, and food. Next: May 22, 2016
#13 Art & Design Event
The event at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica presents established and emerging galleries from all over the globe, with a focus on local galleries. In addition, the fair hosts a curated programming series of artist talks, panel discussions, film screenings, and performances. Related events take place on site and throughout the city in satellite locations. This year’s event drew more than 15,000 visitors. Next: January 26-29, 2017
#14 Art & Design Event (up from #15)
Mission Federal Credit Union is the title sponsor for the annual event, which takes over 17 city blocks of downtown San Diego’s Little Italy district. More than 300 fine artists show and sell their work at the festival, now 32 years old. Next: April 30-May 1, 2016
