LOS ANGELES, October 19, 2026 — The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures raised more than $14 million at its sixth annual gala to support its mission of preserving global film history.
The museum, which opened in 2021, manages the world’s largest film-related collection to document the art, science, and history of moviemaking. It is the first large-scale institution of its kind in the United States and is overseen by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The Mission of the Academy Museum
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is dedicated to the arts, history, science, and artists of the film industry. It opened to the public on September 30, 2021, after a delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The museum’s first temporary exhibition featured the work of animator Hayao Miyazaki. Its permanent mission includes preserving and presenting the global history of cinema through exhibitions, education, and public programming. According to the museum’s overview, it houses part of the Academy Collection, the largest film-related collection in the world, with more than 52 million objects from notable films.
Managing the World’s Largest Film Collection
The Academy Collection, maintained by the museum, contains over 52 million objects. These include items from notable films such as costumes, props, scripts, photographs, and technical equipment. The museum is located in the historic May Company Building, now known as the Saban Building following a $50 million donation from Cheryl and Haim Saban. The building is situated on Miracle Mile at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue, part of Museum Row in Los Angeles. The museum features two theaters: the 945-seat David Geffen Theater in the spherical extension and the 277-seat Ted Mann Theater in the lower level of the Saban Building. The Shirley Temple Education Studio offers workshops on filmmaking and includes memorabilia from Shirley Temple’s career.
Architectural Design and Public Programming
The museum’s design was overseen by Italian architect Renzo Piano. The exterior of the Saban Building was refurbished with new limestone and gold leaf tiles on its corner cylinder. Inside, the Sidney Poitier Grand Lobby features the Spielberg Family Gallery. A spherical structure connects to the main building via skyways and contains the glass-domed Dolby Family Terrace. The museum hosts film screenings, special events, and educational initiatives in its theaters and galleries. Public programming includes exhibitions that explore film history, technology, and cultural impact. The museum’s inaugural gala in September 2021 marked the start of its annual fundraising tradition.
Funding the Future of Film Preservation
The annual Academy Museum Gala serves as the primary fundraiser for the museum’s exhibitions, education, and programming. The 2026 gala, held on October 17, raised more than $14 million to support ongoing operations. Co-chaired by Tom Ford, Robert Rodriguez, Steven Spielberg, and Kate Capshaw, the event honored filmmaker John Carpenter with the Luminary Award, actor Colman Domingo with the Vantage Award, and actress Charlize Theron with the Icon Award. Taylor Swift performed to close the evening. According to the gala report, the funds ensure the museum can present world-class exhibitions, offer dynamic public screenings, and remain accessible to visitors of all ages. The gala has become a major source of financial support since its inception.
Addressing Historical Representation
Soon after opening, the museum faced criticism for a perceived lack of focus on Jewish industry pioneers such as Carl Laemmle and Jack Warner. The critique was first reported by Sharon Rosen Leib in The Forward. Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt expressed disappointment, stating he had hoped any honest historical assessment would include the role Jews played in building the industry. In response, the museum announced in January 2022 plans to create a permanent exhibit dedicated to Jewish industry pioneers. This followed a pattern of responsiveness to community feedback on historical representation. The museum continues to refine its exhibitions to reflect a broader, more inclusive history of global cinema.
Labor Relations and Workforce Representation
Beyond its curatorial and fundraising activities, the museum has also navigated developments regarding its internal workforce. On July 14, 2022, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures voluntarily recognized Academy Museum Workers United as the official bargaining representative for 160 of its employees. This recognition marked a significant shift in the institution’s administrative history, establishing a formal labor relationship between the museum and a substantial portion of its staff.
The museum’s operational structure is overseen by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In addition to its staff, the museum engages with various stakeholders to maintain its public-facing identity. This includes the museum’s director and president, Amy Homma, who has emphasized the importance of the institution’s mission to celebrate and preserve cinema for future generations. The museum continues to balance its role as a major cultural institution in Los Angeles with its responsibilities to its workforce and the broader film community.
Early Exhibitions and Conservation Efforts
Before the museum’s official public opening, it began establishing its curatorial presence through specialized displays. In April 2020, the institution launched an exhibition featuring costumes from the collection of Debbie Reynolds. This initiative also highlighted the museum’s commitment to preservation through the inclusion of Reynolds’ own costume conservation studio, offering visitors insight into the technical work required to maintain film artifacts.
The museum’s inaugural temporary exhibition, which debuted following the institution’s public opening on September 30, 2021, focused on the career of animator Hayao Miyazaki. This exhibition provided an extensive display of his work, celebrating his contributions to the medium of cinema. These early programming efforts set a precedent for the museum’s ongoing mission to showcase both the artistic achievements of filmmakers and the behind-the-scenes processes involved in the creation and long-term care of cinematic history.
Sources
- All the Celebrity Looks From the 2026 Academy Museum Gala
- Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
- Academy Museum Gala 2026 Inside Photos: Taylor Swift Performs, Curry Barker Chats With John Carpenter & More
Photo: Downtowngal (CC BY-SA 4.0)
