The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has grown from a fledgling institution into a world-class museum through a deliberate, long-term strategy of cultivating collectors, building strong local relationships, and leveraging its exhibition program to acquire major works. This approach, described as "a teaspoon at a time," involved patient donor cultivation and using international loan shows as opportunities to secure significant pieces for the permanent collection.
The article matters because it reveals the institutional philosophy behind LACMA's rise, highlighting how sustained curatorial dedication and strategic leadership under figures like Michael Govan have accelerated acquisitions. It underscores the importance of long-term vision, community partnerships, and using exhibitions as acquisition tools in building a major museum collection, offering a model for other growing institutions.