LACMA Art+Film Gala Raises Record Near $7 Million as Eva Chow Steps Down

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art raised nearly $7 million at its 15th annual Art+Film Gala on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, a record for the event, according to a LACMA press release issued the following day. The black-tie fundraiser, presented by Gucci, honored artist Vija Celmins and filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, drew more than 600 guests from art, film, fashion and entertainment, and ended with longtime co-chair Eva Chow announcing that this year would be her last in the role, as reported by WWD and the Los Angeles Times.

A record total for the museum

The nearly $7 million raised broke the previous year's record of $6.5 million, the Los Angeles Times reported. According to the museum, the money supports LACMA's effort to make film more central to its curatorial programming as well as its broader mission. Los Angeles magazine reported that the funds will also help support exhibitions, acquisitions and educational programming.

Michael Govan, LACMA's CEO and Wallis Annenberg director, told the dinner crowd that the gala is "our greatest fundraiser, but it's our greatest friend-raiser," according to WWD and Los Angeles magazine. Govan also pointed to the museum's newly completed David Geffen Galleries, which he described as the culmination of a 20-year project, joking, "Same tent, different buildings around it."

In addition to Gucci, which has partnered with LACMA on the gala since its first edition in 2011, the museum said Audi provided support, including transportation. Los Angeles magazine reported that wines were poured by JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery and signature cocktails were made with Tequila Don Julio, while dinner consisted of a Panzanella salad followed by port-braised short rib.

Demna's second gala for Gucci

The evening was the second LACMA gala for Demna since he became Gucci's artistic director, WWD reported, noting that the previous year's event had served as his Hollywood red carpet debut for the Italian house. Guests wearing Gucci included Kering chairman François-Henri Pinault, Gucci president and chief executive Francesca Bellettini, Salma Hayek Pinault, Viola Davis, Andrew Garfield, Timothée Chalamet, Sarah Paulson, Sienna Miller and Parker Posey, according to Los Angeles magazine. Govan thanked the label from the stage, telling the designer, "Demna, thanks for living in Los Angeles."

WWD described Davis in a shimmering ivory one-shoulder gown, Hayek Pinault in glittering red and Kim Kardashian in a body-hugging burgundy sequined dress, continuing a working relationship with Demna that dates to his time at Balenciaga. Vogue reported that Kardashian's high-necked, long-sleeved Gucci gown included a cutout across the waist, and said several Gucci looks on the carpet used slits, open backs and cutouts, among them a custom black gown worn by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Candice Swanepoel wore a silver embellished Gucci gown, according to WWD and the Los Angeles Times.

Other looks on the carpet

Not every guest wore the presenting sponsor. Nicole Kidman arrived in Chanel, pairing a fitted gold-toned, long-sleeved bodice with a voluminous ivory tulle skirt, WWD reported. Vanity Fair reported that Anya Taylor-Joy wore a vintage 1997 Pierre Cardin haute couture bridal gown with a sheer silver overlay, and that Paris Hilton wore a Jenny Packham gown.

Kylie Jenner, making her first appearance at the gala, wore a gown from Ashi Studio's fall 2026 couture collection in a chocolate-brown and silver fabric patterned after fawn markings, Vogue reported. The magazine said the runway version of the design included small sculptural antlers at the collar that appeared to have been removed for the event, and that the look was styled by Rose and Mackenzie Grandquist. Celmins, the evening's artist honoree, wore a black velvet pantsuit, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Eva Chow steps down as co-chair

Chow, a LACMA trustee and former fashion designer whom Govan approached to create the fundraiser, told guests, "After 15 wonderful years, this will be my final year serving as co-chair." She recalled pitching the idea to co-chair Leonardo DiCaprio and bringing Gucci on board, and noted that the first gala in 2011 honored Clint Eastwood and artist John Baldessari, with Stevie Wonder performing, according to Los Angeles magazine.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Chow estimated the gala has raised close to $60 million during her tenure. "I leave this chapter with tremendous pride, wonderful memories and, above all, gratitude," she said. Vanity Fair reported that DiCaprio was unable to attend this year because he had a cold, and WWD, citing a source, reported that a search for a new co-chair to serve alongside him is already underway.

The honorees and the performance

Writer Rachel Kushner introduced Celmins, 88, a Latvian-born artist known for detailed images of ocean surfaces, desert floors and night skies. "Why did I let them in my studio?" Celmins said after a short film about her work, later telling the room, "You guys are just crazy party people," according to WWD and the Los Angeles Times.

Kidman, who WWD reported had flown 15 hours from Australia to attend, presented Villeneuve's award. Villeneuve, whose "Dune: Part Three" opens Dec. 18, according to Los Angeles magazine, said LACMA's James Turrell exhibition had shaped how he approached directing "Arrival." The director, who is set to helm the next James Bond film, closed by appearing to start revealing who will play the role before stopping, saying producer Amy Pascal "is about to have a heart attack," the Los Angeles Times reported.

After the program, Hilton introduced Rosé, who gave the live debut of her single "New Trick" and also performed "Number One Girl," a cover of the Killers' "Read My Mind" and "APT," according to the Los Angeles Times.

Sources

• LACMA press release
• Los Angeles Times — Laura Zornosa
• WWD — Ryma Chikhoune
• Vanity Fair — Rebecca Ford
• Los Angeles magazine — Jasmin Rosemberg
• Vogue — Anna Cafolla (Kylie Jenner)
• Vogue — Anna Cafolla (red carpet)