Los Angeles—The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) hosted its 14th annual Art+Film Gala on November 1, 2025, welcoming nearly 600 notable guests from the worlds of art, film, fashion, and entertainment to honor artist Mary Corse and filmmaker Ryan Coogler, and featuring a special performance by Doja Cat.
Co-chaired by LACMA trustee Eva Chow and Leonardo DiCaprio, this year’s gala raised nearly $6.5 million million—a new record for the event—to support LACMA’s efforts to make film more central to its curatorial programming, as well as the museum’s broader mission. Gucci, which has partnered with LACMA since the Art+Film Gala’s inception in 2011, returned as presenting sponsor of the 2025 event.
“Mary Corse and Ryan Coogler have each forged a singular path in their fields, showing us the power of visual experimentation and exquisitely crafted storytelling to shift our perspectives,” said Michael Govan, LACMA CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director. “It was wonderful to recognize their achievements together with so many other artists and creators, who always make this a truly unique event. We owe that tothe dedication of our co-chairs Eva Chow and Leonardo DiCaprio and I’m so grateful for their leadership and support.”
“It’s always an honor to host such an incredible group of people to celebrate art and film at LACMA,” said gala co-chair Eva Chow. “I was moved by the warm tributes to our honorees and their powerful work, and Doja Cat’s mesmerizing performance was the perfect way to end the evening. I give my deepest thanks to Demna and the entire team at Gucci for their continued generosity in making the Art+Film Gala a major success, year after year.”
Proceeds from the evening support LACMA’s film initiatives and future exhibitions, acquisitions, and programming.
Guests arriving at the gala took photos in front of Chris Burden’s Urban Light (2008) on Wilshire Boulevard. Following a cocktail reception on the Smidt Welcome Plaza, guests moved into the Art+Film pavilion overlooking Michael Heizer’s Levitated Mass (2012) for a dinner by Executive Chef David Shim of Michelin-starred COTE Korean Steakhouse, in collaboration with Restaurant Associates.
After a welcome from Michael Govan and Eva Chow, 2015 Art+Film Gala honoree James Turrell spoke in tribute to Mary Corse, then introduced a short film about the artist directed by Alysa Nahmias titled Mary Corse: Let Everything In . “It’s such an honor to be working with this museum, which really supports artists who have a new way of seeing,” said Corse.
Angela Bassett then presented a tribute to Ryan Coogler, followed by highlights from Coogler’s filmography.
“I think art is one of the things that makes us human,” Coogler said. “So it’s incredibly important in helping people perform the practice of empathy—empathizing with other situations and other points of view.”
After dinner, Cynthia Erivo invited guests back outside where SZA introduced musical
guest Doja Cat. The pop provocateur’s set, with the David Geffen Galleries as the beautiful backdrop, featured hits from her new album Vie including “Cards” and “All Mine.”
Notable figures from the art world and the Los Angeles community attending the 2025 Art+Film Gala included 2023 Art+Film Gala honoree Judy Baca, 2017 Art+Film Gala honoree Mark Bradford, West Hollywood Councilmember John Erickson, Honor Fraser, Charles Gaines, Ann Goldstein, Todd Gray, Lauren Halsey, Amy Homma, L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Alex Israel, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Shio Kusaka, Emma McIntyre, L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Jarl Mohn, Youssef Nabil, 2018 Art+Film Gala honoree Catherine Opie, Marion Peck, Paul Pfeiffer, Calida Rawles, Harmonia Rosales, Sonya Roth, Zoë Ryan, Mark Ryden, 2019 Art+Film Gala honoree Betye Saar, Director of LA County Dept of Arts and Culture Kristen Sakoda, Kenny Scharf, Tavares Strachan, Walter Timoshuk, 2015 Art+Film Gala honoree James Turrell, Emma Webster, Christopher Williams, Jonas Wood, and L.A. City Councilmember Katy Yaroslovasky.
