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PRESIDENT’S GREETING After the storm comes the rainbow. This is one of the central messages of the ancient flood story we share in Noah’s Ark at the Skirball™. As our community continues to navigate the stormy waters of the COVID-19 pandemic, few messages give us more hope and resolve. This month, we hope to welcome Member families back to campus to experience the best of Noah’s Ark outdoors. Your favorite creatures and puppets, your beloved storytellers, artist Ned Kahn’s stunning Rainbow Mist Arbor in the South Arroyo, and all the beauty of the Skirball Cultural Center’s grounds are waiting for you. Advance timed tickets and COVID-19 safety information will be available on our website. There is so much in our history that can strengthen us. Over and over, for five thousand years, the stories passed down through Jewish tradition are those of survival, resilience, and replenishment. This age asks nothing less of us. We will find everything we need to live up to the legacy of our own heritage in our values, our memories, and our community. Join us in finding those values, those memories, and that community among the rainbows.
Jessie Kornberg President and CEO Skirball Cultural Center
OUR MISSION The Skirball Cultural Center is a place of meeting guided by the Jewish tradition of welcoming the stranger and inspired by the American democratic ideals of freedom and equality. We welcome people of all communities and generations to participate in cultural experiences that celebrate discovery and hope, foster human connections, and call upon us to help build a more just society. 2
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PLAN YOUR VISIT Skirball Cultural Center 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90049 (310) 440-4500 • skirball.org
FREE on-site parking open to visitors with advance timed-entry tickets only Street parking strictly prohibited ADA accessible parking available
A NOTE ABOUT VISITOR SAFETY We look forward to welcoming you back to campus in the new year! Once publichealth orders permit and the Skirball’s own safety standards are met, Skirball Members will be invited to enjoy a brand-new program, Noah’s Outdoor Explorers (see pp. 4–5). With new policies and procedures in place to protect you and your well-being, you can expect a safe and engaging on-site visit for children and grown-ups alike. This winter, we also hope to present our next major in-gallery exhibition, Ai Weiwei: Trace (see pp. 8–9), pending the reopening of LA County indoor museums. Watch out for news of an opening date! When you do come to visit, please keep in mind that we’ll all have to do our part to keep everyone safe. As a community, let’s agree to the following protocols:
WEAR A FACE COVERING OVER NOSE AND MOUTH (AGES 2 AND UP)
MAINTAIN PHYSICAL DISTANCING OF AT LEAST SIX FEET
WASH AND SANITIZE YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY
FOLLOW DIRECTIONS AND USE DESIGNATED AREAS ONLY
STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK OR HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID-19
Join us in community and culture in 2021!
TICKETING See pp. 30–31 for new ticketing guidelines and safety protocols. We hope to see you soon!
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MEMBER PROGRAM
NOAH’S OUTDOOR EXPLORERS
All ages
A Family Experience for Skirball Members
Tuesday–Sunday starting late January, public-health orders permitting Weekdays: 12:00–2:00 pm or 2:30–4:30 pm Weekends: 10:00 am–12:00 pm, 12:30–2:30 pm, or 3:00–5:00 pm Welcome back, Skirball Members! Return to campus for an outdoor experience specially created for Member families with young children and inspired by the values and messages of Noah’s Ark at the Skirball™. The Noah’s Ark story reminds us to appreciate and care for the natural world and the people and creatures who call Earth home. In that spirit, Noah’s Outdoor Explorers invites you to an array of meaningful experiences out in the fresh air. Spend two hours exploring the Skirball’s outdoor pathways, green spaces, and amphitheater. Spark your senses with mindful seek-and-find activities, add your wishes for the world to a communal work of art, enjoy a flood story told live by Noah’s Ark educators, and be ready for a chance encounter with a Noah’s Ark puppet scurrying past or flying overhead! After your adventure, we hope you’ll feel newly inspired to take care of the earth and each other. 4
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Upon arrival, each Member child will receive a complimentary “Explorer Kit” to use during your visit and take home with you. All Noah’s Outdoor Explorers are assigned an entry time permitting up to two hours of outdoor play. Children must be accompanied by an adult 18 and up; minimum adult/child ratio is 1/4.
FREE and open to Members Limited capacity | Advance timed-entry reservations required
LET’S STAY SAFE Noah’s Outdoor Explorers is a fully masked, physically distanced, self-guided experience with limited visitor capacity. Help us keep everyone healthy! Be sure to read and follow important new ticketing guidelines and safety protocols in support of efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19. See pp. 30–31 and skirball.org/ticketing-and-safety for details. Please note: The Noah’s Ark galleries—as well as Audrey’s Museum Store, Zeidler’s Café and cart service, Archaeology Dig, and Family Art Studio—remain closed.
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EXHIBITIONS TIGHTROPE
Americans Reaching for Hope January 21–May 31, 2021
Facing a changing labor market and diminishing opportunities, individuals and families across the United States are struggling to survive in the world’s wealthiest country. Based on the New York Times–bestselling book by Pulitzer Prize–winning journalists Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, the online exhibition Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope takes a humane approach to understanding America’s most complex problems, including the opioid epidemic, the prison-industrial complex, and a lack of affordable healthcare. Through the stories of people in both urban and rural communities, Tightrope bears witness to the resilience of the human spirit. Featuring images by acclaimed photojournalist Lynsey Addario, the exhibition invites us to take an unflinching look at crises hiding in plain sight. Experience the exhibition’s vivid storytelling, then get involved with organizations offering viable solutions to overcome a half-century of policy failure and transform the lives of Americans reaching for hope.
FREE
ONLINE EXHIBITION
The exhibition and its related educational programs are made possible by generous support from the following donors:
Rebekah and Howard Farber Karsh Family Foundation
RELATED PROGRAM AN EVENING WITH NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF AND SHERYL WuDUNN
Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope Tuesday, January 26, 6:00 pm (PT)
Journey across twenty-first century America with Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, whose book Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope serves as inspiration for the Skirball’s online exhibition. In a discussion and Q&A moderated by Eric Liu, Founder and CEO of Citizen University, Kristof and WuDunn provide a compassionate look at the many challenges facing the American public and offer ideas for how we might forge a new path forward. Signed books available for purchase at bronxriverbooks.com.
FREE | Reservations required VIRTUAL TALK
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EXHIBITIONS
AI WEIWEI: TRACE
Scheduled to open in early 2021, public-health orders permitting Ai Weiwei: Trace makes its Los Angeles debut at the Skirball Cultural Center this winter. Created by Ai Weiwei (b. Beijing, 1957), one of China’s most provocative and socially engaged artists, the exhibition—which features three of the original installation’s six floor panels—portrays individuals from more than twenty-five countries around the world whom the artist and various human rights groups consider to be activists, prisoners of conscience, and advocates of free speech. Each of the eighty-three portraits on display is hand-assembled and made up of thousands of LEGO® bricks. This disarmingly playful material can easily be constructed, or deconstructed, on a massive scale—in some ways acting as a metaphor for freedom itself. An outspoken human rights activist, Ai Weiwei was arrested by Chinese authorities in 2011 and held incommunicado for three months. Upon release, the artist was prohibited from traveling abroad or engaging in public speech and was subjected to continued government surveillance for four years. His position as a dissident artist has informed much of his recent work. Foregrounding Ai Weiwei’s own experiences of incarceration, interrogation, and surveillance, Trace puts a spotlight on the importance—and the fragility—of our most basic democratic ideals. Ai Weiwei: Trace is organized by the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group, which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this exhibition.
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$12 General | $9 Seniors, Full-Time Students, and Children over 12 $7 Children 2–12 | FREE to Members and Children under 2 FREE to all on Thursdays Limited capacity | Advance timed-entry reservations required The exhibition and its related educational programs are made possible by support from the following Lead Donor:
Steve Tisch Family Foundation
Along with generous support from the following donors:
Billie B. and Steven G. Fischer Foundation Chara Schreyer and Gordon Freund
MOBILE GUIDE Featuring insights from Ai Weiwei, our mobile guide shares the harrowing stories behind each individual represented in Trace at the Skirball—including Edward Snowden, Chelsea Manning, and Nelson Mandela. Available for FREE at skirball.org, the guide can be accessed from home or during your visit using a smartphone and headphones.
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FILM BEARING WITNESS
Documentary Films by Ai Weiwei Now streaming
Get to know Ai Weiwei as a documentary filmmaker with two of the artist’s most recent films, The Rest and Vivos. Newly released to general audiences, these films provide an intimate look at life in times of crisis. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of human rights issues around the world.
Visit skirball.org for pricing and details.
VIDEOS ON DEMAND
THE REST
A follow-up film to Human Flow, Ai Weiwei’s sprawling 2017 documentary on the global refugee condition, The Rest provides an intimate look at the lives of refugees who have settled in Europe after fleeing from war and persecution in their home countries. On the other side of their perilous journeys, most have not found the safe havens of their dreams. Instead, they live in limbo within a disintegrating humanitarian aid system. Their experiences demonstrate how pan-European values of liberalism and democracy have largely failed in practice. And yet, it is clear from The Rest that humanitarian solutions are urgently needed for these refugees, whose futures remain indefinitely postponed. (2019, 78 min. No MPAA rating.)
VIVOS
Vivos examines the psychological and emotional toll, systemic injustice, and communal solidarity in the aftermath of the forced disappearance of forty-three Mexican students by police and other masked assailants in the city of Iguala, Guerrero, in 2014. Featuring interviews with family members and surviving classmates, as well as human rights experts and international investigators, Vivos presents a defiant assertion of life behind the community’s rallying cry: “Alive, they took them! Alive, we want them back!” (2020, 112 min. No MPAA rating.) JAN/FEB 2021
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CLASSES
Bye Bye Birdie
CURTAIN UP! LIGHT THE LIGHTS!
Broadway Favorites
Thursdays, January 21–February 25, 10:00 am–12:00 pm (PT)
Broadway may be dark for now, but it’s “curtain up” for us as we focus on the illustrious careers of Jule Styne, Comden and Green, Marvin Hamlisch, Charles Strouse, and Neil Simon—a generation of composers and writers who brought laughter and tears to millions. Enjoy such favorites as Funny Girl, Annie, and Bye Bye Birdie, and dive into decades of unforgettable musicals and comedies that lit up the Great White Way and continue to enchant audiences to this day. Instructor: Steve Barri 6 sessions
$150 General | $120 Members ONLINE CLASS 12
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Funny Girl
CREATIVE WRITING
Mondays, January 25–March 15, 1:00–3:00 pm (PT)
Tap into your creativity, strengthen your writing practice, and enjoy the company and feedback of others in this intimate writers’ workshop. Open to both new and experienced writers, this class will explore fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Come prepared to experiment, hone your craft, and, most importantly, have fun. Instructor: Lesley Hyatt 8 sessions. Space is limited.
$200 General | $160 Members ONLINE CLASS This class is made possible in part by support from:
REALISM IN OPERA—VERISMO!
Wednesdays, February 3–March 3, 1:00–3:00 pm (PT)
At the end of the nineteenth century, Italian opera appeared to be on the wane. “Where is the next Verdi?” opera lovers asked. Then, suddenly, with the 1890 premiere of Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana and the emergence of composers led by the superstar Giacomo Puccini, Italian opera entered into a period of enormous artistic creativity. Expressing an unparalleled intensity of passion and sentimentality, this remarkable revival integrated the themes of the past into a new operatic tradition— Verismo! Instructor: Earl J. Schub 5 sessions
$125 General | $100 Members
ONLINE CLASS
La Bohème
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CLASSES COEN BROTHERS MOVIE GROUP
Thursdays, February 4 and 18, March 4 and 18, 7:30–8:30 pm (PT)
In a career that has so far spanned thirty years, Joel and Ethan Coen have co-created a cinematic body of work that is uniquely and recognizably theirs, despite working across wildly diverse genres. Come together with fellow movie buffs to discuss four of the Coen Brothers’s most acclaimed films— Barton Fink (1991), The Big Lebowski (1998), No Country for Old Men (2007), and A Serious Man (2009). Go beneath the surface to explore the themes, writing, acting, and production design that both unify and distinguish the Coen Brothers’s amazing, highly entertaining, and eminently quotable output. Facilitator: Theodore Rand 4 sessions. Participants will receive links to the streaming services where the movies can be viewed in advance.
$50 General | $40 Members
A Serious Man
ONLINE CLASS
On the set of Barton Fink
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The Path by Debra Hintz
THE HEALING POWER OF ART
Wednesdays, February 10–March 17, 10:30 am–12:00 pm (PT)
Go behind the scenes and virtually visit the studios of several contemporary artists, each working to educate and unify the world. In this thought-provoking class, explore a brilliantly diverse range of new work in painting, photography, collage, and beyond. Reflect on social issues and connect with your classmates as you discover personal solutions to the question, “How can art serve to heal?” Instructor: John Paul Thornton 6 sessions
$150 General | $120 Members
ONLINE CLASS
TAKING MUSIC HUMOR SERIOUSLY
Wednesdays, March 10–April 7, 1:00–2:30 pm (PT)
For hundreds of years, music has been used to satirize culture, politics, and human behavior. Through curated videos and lively discussions, discover the many facets of musical humor from crass tastelessness to high culture. Laugh and sing along to the works of Mozart, Tom Lehrer, Anna Russell, Danny Kaye, and more. Plus, engage in a bit of schadenfreude with candid musical mishaps and the music of operatic wannabe Florence Foster Jenkins. Lift your spirits, tickle your funny bone, and never leave class with a straight face! Instructor: Neal Brostoff 5 sessions
$125 General | $100 Members
Danny Kaye
ONLINE CLASS JAN/FEB 2021
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CLASSES SKIRBALL BOOK GROUPS
Art, Society, and the Individual
Open yourself up to new cultures and ideas through fiction and nonfiction! Under the direction of a professional book group facilitator, discuss the characters, themes, and motifs of five critically acclaimed books with a thoughtful cohort of fellow readers. FEBRUARY: The Last Great Road Bum by Héctor Tobar—A fascinating work of historical fiction about the late Joe Sanderson of Urbana, Illinois, who died fighting alongside guerrillas in the Salvadoran revolution. MARCH: The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich—The story of the author’s grandfather, a night watchman who carried the fight against Native dispossession from rural North Dakota all the way to Washington, DC. APRIL: Fierce Attachments by Vivian Gornick—A thrilling 1987 memoir that details the author’s lifelong battle with her mother for independence. MAY: Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell—The story behind Shakespeare’s most enigmatic play. A portrait of a marriage and a parent’s worst nightmare: the loss of a beloved child. JUNE: Virgil Wander by Leif Enger—A journey into the heart and heartache of a hard-luck town in the Upper Midwest. Facilitator: Janet Bain Fattal
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SCHEDULE GROUP ONE
Tuesdays, February 9, March 9, April 6, May 11, June 8, 10:00 am–12:00 pm (PT)
GROUP TWO
Tuesdays, February 9, March 9, April 6, May 11, June 8, 1:00–3:00 pm (PT)
GROUP FOUR
Wednesdays, February 10, March 10, April 7, May 12, June 9, 1:00–3:00 pm (PT)
GROUP FIVE
Thursdays, February 11, March 11, April 8, May 13, June 10, 1:00–3:00 pm (PT)
GROUP THREE
Wednesdays, February 10, March 10, April 7, May 12, June 9, 10:00 am–12:00 pm (PT) 5 sessions
$150 General | $125 Members
ONLINE CLASSES
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MUSIC Watch on YouTube!
SKIRBALL STAGES
Tune in to these uniquely curated experiences, which pair acts from across the country and around the world with talent from the local music scene. During an extraordinary time, when opportunities for artists to perform live are rare, Skirball Stages amplifies musicianship while ensuring the safety of artists and audiences. Join us for electrifying sets and heartfelt interviews that we can enjoy as a community. All performances were filmed in compliance with local safety protocols to keep the musicians and crews safe.
VIRTUAL CONCERTS
Skirball Stages is made possible by generous support from the following donors:
The Bilger Family
NOW STREAMING Missed the premiere of a Skirball Stages concert or want to watch again? You’re in luck! All past performances are now available to stream on YouTube. • Las Cafeteras and Xenia França • Dustbowl Revival and Mames Babegenush • Aditya Prakash Ensemble and Rini • Gavin Turek and Ak Dan Gwang Chil
“A powerful way to experience diverse musical styles and cultures in the company of a vibrant (virtual) community.”
Las Cafeteras
Joachim Cooder with his father, Ry Cooder
JOACHIM COODER AND AMYTHYST KIAH
Premiering Saturday, February 27, 8:00 pm (PT)
From Los Angeles to the hills of East Tennessee, join us for an evening of aweinspiring American roots music. Performing from the Skirball’s Taper Courtyard, Joachim Cooder delivers an airy and atmospheric performance alongside his legendary father, Ry Cooder. Playing both original compositions and modern arrangements of Uncle Dave Macon’s old-time country tunes, the two light up the stage with twinkling, indie-infused folk. Then, live from the heartland, Grammy-nominated musician Amythyst Kiah impresses with rich vocals and powerful storytelling. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Appalachia mixed with Kiah’s own captivating blend of rock, country, and blues in this stunning performance. Make a night of it and swing by the Skirball to pick up a three-course meal inspired by the tastes of Tennessee. See p. 20 for details.
FREE | Reservations recommended
Amythyst Kiah
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FOOD SKIRBALL SUPPERS
Saturday, February 27, curbside pickup 5:00–7:15 pm Before settling in to watch the Skirball Stages premiere of Joachim Cooder and Amythyst Kiah (see p. 19 for details), swing by the Skirball campus to pick up a three-course, Southern-style meal prepared by the Skirball’s expert culinary team. (V) Vegan | (VG) Vegetarian | (GF) Gluten Free
Starter
• Grilled pear salad with romaine lettuce, wild arugula, and candied pecans (VG) (GF)
Entrée
Choice of one: • Memphis dry rub short ribs with redeye gravy • Smothered chicken with caramelized onion gravy • Roasted mountain trout with green tomato and lemon verbena (GF) • Baked delicata squash filled with vegan “creamed” spinach and leeks with roasted sorghum-glazed vegetables (V) (GF)
Sides
All entrées come with the following: • Green onion and herb grit cakes (VG) (GF) • Stewed mustard and turnip greens with smoked turkey “hocks” and green beans (GF) • Sweet and spicy roasted yams (V) (GF) • Skillet cornbread (VG)
Dessert
• Tennessee apple stack cake (VG)
Per person: $42 | Preorder by Wednesday, February 24, 4:00 pm
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“Excellent food with complex flavors, thoughtfully packaged and paired with a nice bottle of wine. And all I had to do was roll down the backseat window.”
SELECT RECIPES NOW ONLINE Whip up a Skirball Suppers meal at home! Recipes for select dishes from the February 27 menu, as well as cocktails to pair with your meal, will be made available for FREE online prior to the concert premiere. In the meantime, try out recipes for a few of our favorite dishes from past Skirball Suppers, including: • Soy-braised black cod with Korean radish, crown daisy leaf, and enoki mushroom garnish (GF) • Vegetable biryani (V) (GF) • Honey-and-garlic-glazed salmon fillet with shallot-and-rhubarb relish • Piri-piri chicken with charred lemon (GF) • Tennessee hummingbird cake (VG) Visit skirball.org/select-recipes for ingredient lists and step-by-step instructions provided courtesy of Sean Sheridan, Skirball Executive Chef. JAN/FEB 2021
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WORDS AND IDEAS LA REFLECTIONS: SHIFTING CULTURE How have the extraordinary events of this past year impacted culture makers in Los Angeles? Join us for specially curated panel discussions with some of LA’s most creative voices. Learn how artists have found inspiring ways to shift their practices and connect with audiences through the pandemic, social uprising, and beyond.
VIRTUAL TALKS
NOW STREAMING Enjoy previous LA Reflections: Shifting Culture programs, now on YouTube! • Visual Art in Times of Crisis—Featuring Burton Morris, Corie Mattie, and Ruben Rojas • Performance in the Midst of Radical Change—Featuring Ryan Heffington, Kristina Wong, Bruce Lemon, Patricia Garza, and Jessica Hanna
Muralists Corie Mattie and Ruben Rojas
David Glenn Brown
Darrin Bell
Lalo Alcaraz
CARTOONING THROUGH CHAOS
Thursday, February 11, 7:30 pm (PT)
Lampooning social and political ills, cartoonists have educated and entertained us in a year that’s been anything but fun. Join us for a lively discussion with three award-winning, LA-based cartoonists: Lalo Alcaraz (La Cucaracha), David Glenn Brown (Los Angeles Sentinel), and Darrin Bell (Candorville). In conversation with Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Patt Morrison of the Los Angeles Times, the artists share how they use their art to promote social good, amplify unheard voices, and spark meaningful conversation in a divided country. Stick around after the panel for a Q&A with the artists.
FREE | Reservations required JAN/FEB 2021
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SCHOOL PROGRAMS
For information about these and more Roslyn and Abner Goldstine School Programs, visit skirball.org/education.
NOAH’S ARK AT THE SKIRBALL™
The Art of Imagination Bring the artistry and messages of one of the world’s most imaginative children’s destinations, Noah’s Ark at the Skirball, into your classroom using this suite of newly developed educational resources and programs made for distance learning. Inspired by ancient and culturally diverse flood stories, students will enjoy vibrant video content, interactive lesson plans, and virtual field trips facilitated by Noah’s Ark educators. Teachers are also invited to participate in FREE online professional development programs focused on arts integration. As the digital component of the Roslyn and Abner Goldstine School Programs, Noah’s Ark at the Skirball: The Art of Imagination builds upon our commitment to providing high-quality educational programming to students and teachers. Incorporate storytelling and imaginative play into your classroom and show your students the ways each of us, including the youngest members of our community, can make a difference. Noah’s Ark at the Skirball: The Art of Imagination is made possible by generous support from:
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ONLINE PROGRAMS
NOAH’S ARK CURRICULUM AND VIDEOS
Launching Tuesday, January 26
Celebrate hope, connect to the past, and create positive change using the Noah’s Ark curriculum! In a set of six videos filmed safely inside the galleries, Noah’s Ark educators reenact age-old flood stories and guide students through mindfulness exercises. Teachers can use the accompanying lesson plans to dig into the overarching themes of the Noah’s Ark story: weathering life’s storms, finding shelter in community, and welcoming new beginnings. As a class, students will engage in storytelling, art making, and thoughtful reflection centered around building empathy and strengthening connections with one another. The Noah’s Ark curriculum is developed in partnership with the Skirball Teacher Advisory Council, a dynamic and accomplished group of educators committed to serving LA County’s diverse student populations. Highly engaging and aligned with California Common Core State Standards, this resource will have students excited to learn as they work together to build a better world. Pre-K through Grade 5 classes. All videos were filmed in compliance with local safety protocols to keep Skirball team members and crews safe.
FREE
SCHOOL PROGRAMS VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS
Available now for teachers and after-school program providers
Book a Noah’s Ark educator for up to an hour of guided play and exploration. Put your students at the center of timeless flood stories, invite them to craft their own narratives, and enjoy some creative quality time together. • Noah’s Ark Flood Stories (Pre-K–Grade 4)—Listen to and participate in the retelling of ancient flood stories focused on hope and resilience from cultures all around the world. • Noah’s Ark from Head to Tale (Grades 3–5)—Enjoy a spirited creative writing activity inspired by the found-object animal sculptures on board Noah’s Ark.
Per class: $50 | Fee waivers available
TEACHING THROUGH STORYTELLING
Storytelling and Movement in the Virtual Classroom Tuesday, February 9, 4:00–5:00 pm (PT)
Get students excited to tell stories using movement! Join us for this lively online professional development workshop to enrich your core content with activities anyone can try. Connect with fellow educators, receive a toolkit of lesson plans, and find new modalities that will boost students’ self-esteem, sense of community, and creative problem-solving skills. Instructor: Charlotte Perebinossoff 1 session. Pre-K through Grade 6 educators.
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IN THE COMMUNITY HOLIDAY CARE PACKAGES
In the spirit of tzedakah—the Hebrew word for “justice,” which is often interpreted as “good deeds”—Skirball employees and docents supplied and assembled more than five hundred care packages for individuals and families across Los Angeles. The packages—full of hygiene products such as shampoo and toothbrushes, and extra items like socks and gloves—were donated to the Holiday Care Package Drive organized by Food on Foot, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting unhoused and low-income Los Angeles residents. But the need doesn’t end with the holiday season. In Los Angeles alone, more than fifty thousand people slept on the street last year—a troubling number that is only expected to grow due to the economic impacts of COVID-19. This winter, we hope you’ll find ways to contribute tzedakah in your own community, however you can. Looking for ideas? Check out the online exhibition Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope, which features a solutions guide designed to turn empathy into action. See pp. 6–7 for details.
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MEMBERSHIP
Mostly Kosher
HAPPY NEW YEAR, MEMBERS We look forward to connecting with you in 2021—whether for a Skirball Stages concert event, a Members-only virtual talk, or on site at the Skirball for upcoming exhibitions and the new Members-only experience for families with children, Noah’s Outdoor Explorers (see pp. 4–5). If you’ve recently moved or changed your email address, please notify us at membership@skirball.org so that we can keep you up to date on all things Skirball. A sincere thanks for your continued support. Your membership helps sustain our mission and enables us to continue offering world-class cultural experiences—like the online Skirball Hanukkah Celebration (pictured above)—for our community in Los Angeles and beyond. Stay safe, keep in touch, and be well.
MEMBER MOMENT “When asked to write about my Skirball Membership in one hundred words, my first thought was that I needed one thousand words! “As an author and a special education teacher, I attend the Skirball’s Teaching Through Storytelling workshops every year. I love sharing what I learn at the Skirball with my students and peers. Over the years, I have visited numerous Skirball exhibitions, which have provided hours of enjoyment and positive experiences. Whenever I visit, I make sure to stop by Audrey’s Museum Store, which is a shopper’s dream! “From the films, lectures, and book signings to the Museum and Noah’s Ark, the Skirball Cultural Center is my place.”—Susan Smith, Skirball Member since 2016 28
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GET INVOLVED
PLAN AN EVENT
The Skirball Cultural Center is your venue of choice for reconnecting and celebrating anew. Email private-events@skirball.org to inquire about future gatherings. Our Hospitality and Private Events team is ready to offer creative event planning and personalized care while ensuring that your special occasion meets all public-health requirements. The Skirball also welcomes inquiries about film shoots on our spectacular campus.
SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Your philanthropy sustains our ability to offer educational and cultural programming to the community, including schoolchildren and teachers. Help us continue to develop and present meaningful experiences, both online and in person. As we embark on a new year, please consider giving to the Skirball. We welcome donations of cash, securities, and gift annuities. To give or for more information, visit skirball.org/donate or call (310) 440-4579.
STAY CONNECTED
Sign up for Skirball e-news and find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to learn about our upcoming programs and exhibitions, and for updates on our reopening. Plus, subscribe to our YouTube channel for vibrant video content, including Skirball Stages concerts, flood stories aboard Noah’s Ark, virtual talks, and more. JAN/FEB 2021
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SPECIAL FOR NOAH’S OUTDOOR EXPLORERS Noah’s Outdoor Explorers (see pp. 4–5) is a fully masked, physically distanced, self-guided experience with limited visitor capacity. It is currently offered exclusively to Skirball Members. In support of efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19, be sure to read the following guidelines and protocols carefully. Visit skirball.org/ticketing-and-safety for the most complete information.
TICKETING GUIDELINES RESERVE IN ADVANCE—Advance timed-entry reservations for Noah’s Outdoor Explorers are required of all visitors ages 2 and up. Reservations are not required for children under 2. No walk-ups will be accommodated. · Visitor capacity is extremely limited to meet guidelines set forth by public-health officials. · Children must be accompanied by an adult 18 and up; minimum adult/child ratio is 1/4. · Reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Membership does not guarantee availability of timed-entry reservations. PLAN TO ARRIVE ON TIME—The assigned entry and exit times of your reservation must be observed so we can monitor visitor capacity and clean the facility between time slots. EXPECT A NEW, CAREFULLY CURATED EXPERIENCE—Be prepared to experience our campus in a new way! Reservations do not include admission to the Noah’s Ark galleries, which remain closed. COME RAIN OR SHINE—In inclement weather, some activities may be cancelled, but visitors with reservations are still welcome to enjoy the campus (with rain boots on!).
SAFETY PROTOCOLS The well-being of the community is our priority. To help reduce risk, the Skirball has implemented a number of measures in accordance with state and local public-health guidelines. All visitors must comply with the following protocols: WEAR A FACE COVERING OVER NOSE AND MOUTH (AGES 2 AND UP)—Face coverings must be worn at all times while on campus, except when eating or drinking in designated areas. MAINTAIN PHYSICAL DISTANCING OF AT LEAST SIX FEET WASH AND SANITIZE YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY FOLLOW DIRECTIONS AND USE DESIGNATED AREAS ONLY—The Skirball has carefully designated select campus spaces for use. Be sure to follow directions posted on signs or given by Skirball team members. STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK OR HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID-19 Questions? Please call (310) 440-4500 and press 2. Leave a message and someone will return your call as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.
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TICKETING METHODS ONLINE—Register/reserve for Noah’s Outdoor Explorers, Skirball Stages concert premieres, online classes, and more at skirball.org. No service charges apply! Member Tip—When you are ready to register/reserve online, click on the “Sign In” link at the top of the page and enter the email address and password associated with your membership account. If you do not recall your password, click on the “Forgot your password?” link to create a new one. If you are a new Member without an online account, create one now by clicking the “Create an Account” link and following the prompts. To confirm which email address is associated with your membership, contact membership@skirball.org and a Skirball representative will get back to you. To apply Member discounts, don’t forget to sign in before placing your order! PHONE—Register/reserve by calling (877) SCC-4TIX or (310) 440-4500 and press 2. Kindly leave a message and your call will be returned. Service charges may apply. ON SITE—To keep our employees and the public safe, registration/reservation support is not available on site at this time. Thank you for your patience.
POLICIES Adult education class fees must be paid before the first session and are fully refundable if you cancel your registration at least twenty-four hours prior to the first session. Adult education classes may be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment. Email adulteducation@skirball.org for updates. Member discounted rates for adult education classes are limited to two Members per membership. For all other paid programs: All sales are final • No refunds or exchanges
Credits: COVER Rainbow Mist Arbor by John Elder 2–3 Jessie Kornberg by Ramona Trent 4–5 South Arroyo by Timothy Hursley 6–7 Daniel McDowell © Photo by Lynsey Addario 8–9 Ai Weiwei, installation view of Ai Weiwei: Trace at Hirshhorn at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, 2017, photo by Cathy Carver 10–11 The Rest (2019), directed by Ai Weiwei, courtesy of Ai Weiwei Studio; Vivos (2020), directed by Ai Weiwei, courtesy of Ai Weiwei Studio 12–13 Bye Bye Birdie (1960–1961), music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Lee Adams, directed by Gower Champion, Martin Beck Theatre, New York, NY, courtesy of Photofest; Funny Girl (1964–1967), music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Bob Merrill, directed by Garson Kanin, Winter Garden Theatre, New York, NY, courtesy of Photofest; Creative writing © Unsplash.com/Hannah Olinger; La Bohème (1965), directed by Wilhelm Semmelroth, © Warner Bros. Pictures, courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures/Photofest 14–15 A Serious Man (2009), directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, © Focus Features, courtesy of Focus Features/Photofest; On the set of Barton Fink (1991), directed by Joel Coen, © 20th Century Fox, courtesy of 20th Century Fox/Photofest; A Song Is Born (1948), directed by Howard Hawks, © Samuel Goldwyn Productions, courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn/Photofest 18–19 Las Cafeteras by Larry Sandez; Joachim Cooder and Ry Cooder by Larry Sandez; Amythyst Kiah by Anna Hedges 20–21 Short ribs © Shutterstock.com/Lyudmila Mikhailovskaya; Pear salad © Dreamtstime.com/Msphotographic; Skillet cornbread © Dreamstime.com/Arinahabich08; Skirball Suppers, courtesy of Skirball team member 22–23 Corie Mattie and Ruben Rojas by Jay Jones; David Glenn Brown by Gary McCarthy; Darrin Bell, courtesy of the artist; Lalo Alcaraz, courtesy of the artist 24–25 Noah’s Ark at the Skirball: The Art of Imagination, photo courtesy of WolfDog Creative 26–27 Lula Washington Dance Theatre by BeBe Jacobs; Holiday care packages, courtesy of Skirball team member 28–29 Mostly Kosher, courtesy of Eyal Resh; Member Moment, courtesy of Susan Smith; Bat mitzvah © Photo by Kim Silverstein BACK COVER Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, courtesy of the publisher © 2021 Skirball Cultural Center
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Hear the latest from celebrated journalists Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. See p. 7 for details.