Remembering Wallis Annenberg

MOCA mourns the passing of Wallis Annenberg, a visionary philanthropist whose generous spirit and steadfast commitment to Los Angeles have left an enduring legacy. Wallis was an extremely active and generous supporter of the museum since its founding, initially in 1981 as a charter founder. She was also a dedicated member of MOCA’s Photography Committee from 2006 to 2013 and served as a trustee from 2011 to 2021.

Through the Annenberg Foundation, Wallis made numerous contributions to MOCA, supporting a wide range of exhibitions and initiatives that expanded access and nurtured contemporary artists. Her generosity helped bring to life such landmark exhibitions as WACK!: Art and the Feminist Revolution (2007) and Doug Aitken: Electric Earth (2016), among others. Walis also recognized the importance of strengthening MOCA’s infrastructure, providing vital operating and endowment support to the museum.

Wallis’s imprint on Los Angeles is vast, touching education, the environment, animal welfare, and of course, the arts. At MOCA, we remember Wallis not only as a generous patron, but as a deeply thoughtful and civic-minded leader. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her children, grandchildren, and extended family, and we honor her extraordinary life with profound gratitude.