A true friend to the arts, beloved centenarian Frederick M. Nicholas (1920- 2025) was a gifted legal mind and passionate civic luminary who cheerfully used all of the tools in his belt to help build one of the world’s premier contemporary art museums in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. A cherished MOCA pioneer, Nicholas advanced the concept of the artist-centered institution, the founding principle that is the lasting legacy of the museum. He had deep respect for creative individuals from artists and designers to curators and directors. Nicholas was a Founding Trustee of MOCA. In 1983 he was elected to Vice Chair and then in 1988 he was elected to MOCA Board Chair. A role he held for 5 years. To honor this service, MOCA appointed him to Life Trustee in 2002.
Nicholas was instrumental in the construction of the Museum’s two distinct facilities, serving an official capacity as the Building Facilitator for both of MOCA’s locations. He put his extensive experience in design and construction to work on Grand Avenue, as Chairman of the Architectural Committee for the new building envisioned by Japanese innovator Arata Isozaki. In the Little Tokyo district, Nicholas was the key figure in the creation of The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, known then as The Temporary Contemporary. He led on the hiring of Frank Gehry, who transformed the former police car warehouse into a cutting-edge contemporary art museum, thereby redefining the possibilities of adaptive reuse with a minimalist intervention that celebrates the raw industrial elements over polished grandeur and keeps the museum connected to its urban context.
In addition to leading the effort to build the museum itself, he also played a major role in building the museum’s collection. Nicholas was an integral negotiator alongside Eli Broad and MOCA Director Richard Koshalek in the historic acquisition of The Panza Collection in 1984, which brought a trove of masterworks to MOCA to form the core of its world class collection.
Nicholas' dedication to art and the art community extended beyond MOCA. He provided legal representation for numerous galleries and artists. He was a great collector, acquiring works by American icons such as Robert Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol, Frank Stella, Ad Reinhardt, Roy Lichtenstein and others.
Later, as the administrator of the Sam Francis Estate, Nicholas facilitated a comprehensive solo retrospective in memoriam to the acclaimed abstract painter entitled Sam Francis: Paintings 1947-1990, featuring over 50 paintings and 30 works on paper. The milestone exhibition was on view at MOCA in 1999 and subsequently traveled internationally.
Nicholas’ passion for the arts, his skilled civic leadership, and the desire to develop downtown LA’s cultural corridor led him to serve as the first Chairman of the Walt Disney Concert Hall Committee for 8 years, guiding the development of the building. He led the committee that selected Frank Gehry as architect and the acoustician, Nagata & Associates, to build one the world's most iconic buildings. This work with Walt Disney Concert Hall was concurrent with his leadership of MOCA and development of MOCA Grand Avenue just up the street.
Nicholas’ generosity and leadership extended beyond the arts. Notably, in 1970, he founded Public Counsel, the nation’s largest pro bono law firm, which provides free legal services to tens of thousands of people in need and is dedicated to advancing civil rights and racial and economic justice. Nicholas personally funded its launch and became its first president. Under his guidance and vision, the organization grew into a national model for pro bono work, mobilizing thousands of attorneys.
His understanding of service to the greater community began during his enrollment in the US Army during World War II. Nicholas was deployed in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Southern France and the Philippines, rising to the rank of Captain and serving as a platoon leader and company commander. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
Nicholas is survived by his children, Deborah, Jan and Anthony; Anthony’s wife Mona; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and sister Helen Devor.
A public memorial service celebrating Fred’s remarkable life and legacy will be announced in the coming weeks. In lieu of flowers, Fred’s family requests donations be made to MOCA.
