Los Angeles Art Community Rallies Amid Devastating Wildfires
Since January 7, 2025, wildfires have ravaged Los Angeles County, destroying thousands of buildings, forcing over 41,000 evacuations, and causing at least 27 deaths. After a weekend of containment on January 18-19, a new red flag warning was issued from noon January 20 for San Gabriel Mountains and Malibu due to strong winds and low humidity. The art community has mobilized relief efforts, including the L.A. Arts Community Fire Relief Fund, launched by major institutions led by the J. Paul Getty Trust and administered by the Center for Cultural Innovation. The fund has raised $12 million, with partners including Gagosian, Hauser & Wirth, Frieze, and Qatar Museums. Artists and cultural workers affected can apply for emergency grants starting January 20. Katherine E. Fleming, Getty CEO, stated the tragedy has global cultural repercussions. Other initiatives include the L.A. Art World Fire Relief GoFundMe by artists Andrea Bowers and Kathryn Andrews, offering legal aid and housing, plus the FireAid benefit concert on January 30 at Intuit Dome and Kia Forum featuring Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and more. Many artists like Christina Quarles, Diana Thater, Martine Syms, and Kathryn Andrews lost homes and studios in Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
Key facts
- Wildfires started January 7, 2025, in Los Angeles County.
- Over 41,000 people under evacuation orders; at least 27 dead.
- Red flag warning reissued January 20 for San Gabriel Mountains and Malibu.
- L.A. Arts Community Fire Relief Fund raised $12 million.
- Fund led by J. Paul Getty Trust, administered by Center for Cultural Innovation.
- Partners include Gagosian, Hauser & Wirth, Frieze, Qatar Museums.
- FireAid concert on January 30 at Intuit Dome and Kia Forum.
- Artists Christina Quarles, Diana Thater, Martine Syms, Kathryn Andrews affected.
Entities
Artists
- Billie Eilish
- Lady Gaga
- Pink
- Katy Perry
- Stevie Nicks
- Joni Mitchell
- Gwen Stefani
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Gracie Abrams
- Green Day
- Jelly Roll
- Earth, Wind & Fire
- Lil Baby
- Stephen Stills
- Tate McRae
- Christina Quarles
- Diana Thater
- Martine Syms
- Kathryn Andrews
- Andrea Bowers
- Helen Frankenthaler
- Andy Warhol
- Robert Rauschenberg
- Ellsworth Kelly
- Mike Kelley
- Willem de Kooning
- Joan Mitchell
- David Hockney
- Sam Francis
- Carolee Schneemann
- Katherine E. Fleming
- Caterina Angelucci
Institutions
- J. Paul Getty Trust
- Center for Cultural Innovation
- Mohn Art Collective
- LACMA
- Hammer Museum
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- Helen Frankenthaler Foundation
- Andy Warhol Foundation
- Robert Rauschenberg Foundation
- Ellsworth Kelly Foundation
- Mike Kelley Foundation
- Willem de Kooning Foundation
- Joan Mitchell Foundation
- David Hockney Foundation
- Sam Francis Foundation
- Carolee Schneemann Foundation
- Gagosian
- Hauser & Wirth
- Frieze
- Qatar Museums
- Los Angeles Fire Department Fund
- California Fire Foundation
- Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
- Pasadena Community Job Center
- Baby2Baby
- Pasadena Humane
- Airbnb
- 211 LA
- Intuit Dome
- Kia Forum
- LA Times
- CNN
- Artribune
- Craft Emergency Relief Fund
- Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation
- Artists’ Fellowship
- Foundation for Contemporary Arts
Locations
- Los Angeles
- Los Angeles County
- California
- Southern California
- San Gabriel Mountains
- Malibu
- Pacific Palisades
- Altadena
- United States