Kevin Bronson on June 8th, 2020

0

The Annenberg Space for Photography — the Century City museum that was KCRW’s partner for five years of summer concert series and also hosted notable music-related exhibitions including “Who Shot Rock & Roll” and “Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop” — is closing permanently.

The institution had closed its doors in March as part of the COVID-19 shutdown. An email from Wallis Annenberg today said it would not be re-opening.

The announcement reads, in part:

It’s been a joy and a privilege to share my favorite art form with the Los Angeles community for these 10 wonderful years. Because a great photograph does so much more than capture what’s in front of us. It captures what’s deep inside us – the trials and the triumphs the naked eye rarely sees. That’s why the Photo Space has been so meaningful to me.

It’s also why I’m so very grateful to the extraordinary teams we’ve built – from the founding leadership of ASP to the current leadership of Katie Hollander and her incredible team – for the work they’ve done and for the vision we’ve shared. Together, we’ve staged some extraordinary exhibits; we’ve showcased some astonishing work; we’ve highlighted some critical issues. And I believe we’ve had a chance to touch people’s lives.

I am especially gratified by the public response to our work at ASP. In our decade of existence, nearly a million visitors have taken part in our exhibitions and programs …

You will be able to view our past exhibits, archives of interviews, and audio tours through social media and at annenbergphotospace.org. And I can tell you, we’re going to look for new and creative ways to bring stirring art to the public in the years ahead.

For now, given the unprecedented health crisis we face, the Annenberg Foundation will continue to place its primary focus on helping to support those affected by COVID-19. In addition, we’re going to continue to expand our commitment to social and economic justice, in every way we can.