$2 million for Santa Monica art museum

The Santa Monica Museum of Art has received its largest donation in its history -- a combined gift of $2 million -- signaling a turning point for the small institution.

With $1 million each from the Annenberg Foundation and the Good Works Foundation, the 9-year-old museum is no longer underfunded and overlooked.

“It’s a defining moment for the museum,” said Elsa Longhauser, its executive director. “It gives us a certain amount of financial stability and a base of support on which we can build. Also, it’s a magnet to attract other gifts.”

Founded in 1984, the museum, which is located at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica, exhibits both established and emerging artists.

In the last three years, the museum has shown the work of Raymond Pettibon, the Rev. Ethan Acres, Mary Kelly and Alfred Jensen.

Last year’s “Cavepainting” -- exhibiting paintings by Peter Doig, Chris Ofili and Laura Owens -- was among the most successful shows at the museum, both critically and in terms of attendance.

Currently on display is an exhibition by Rosamond Purcell titled “Two Rooms.”

A former director of the Moore College of Art and Design galleries in Philadelphia, Longhauser came to the museum three years ago with the promise of enhancing the profile of the cash-strapped museum, making it a destination for both artists and donors.

The $2-million gift will go toward the museum’s newly established Innovation Fund, and is part of an ambitious plan to raise $5 million for the fund that will sponsor exhibitions of contemporary art.

“It gives us encouragement that the art world and major donors are recognizing what we’re doing.”

The gift from the Annenberg Foundation will be made to the Santa Monica Museum of Art in increments of $250,000 over four years.

The gift from the Good Works Foundation also will be available in increments, with $250,000 as a gift, and the remaining $750,000 available as matching funds are raised by the museum.