Fisher Gallery (University of Southern California)

In 1939, the Fisher Gallery was established at the University of Southern California University Park campus as the first museum in Los Angeles dedicated to the collection and exhibition of fine arts. Mrs. Elizabeth Holmes Fisher contributed the funds to build the Gallery and donated her collection of European and American art to USC. In 1942, the Gallery was expanded with a new exhibit space, the Quinn wing. Winnifred Poingdestre was the first Director of the Fisher Gallery until retiring in 1957. From 1958 to 1971, Dr. Edward S. Peck led the Fisher Gallery as the Director. In the summer of 1964, the Friends of Art of USC was formed by community lovers of art and loyal friends of the University. In 1965, the Fisher Gallery enhanced its permanent collection with a gift of fifty paintings from Dr. Armand Hammer. Donald Brewer was the Director of the Fisher Gallery from 1971 to 1980. Also known as the University Art Galleries during this period, the Fisher Gallery began an active changing exhibition program in the late 1970s. With the appointment of Dr. Selma Holo in 1981 as the Director of the Gallery and the USC Museum Studies Program, the Fisher Gallery officially became part of the USC School of Fine Arts. The Museum Studies Program (MSP) offered a master's degree in Art History focused on graduate training in the curatorial, educational and administration of art museums. The MSP was closed in 2005. In 1989, the Fisher Gallery gained accreditation from the American Association of Museums, and it became autonomous in operation, separated from the governance of the USC School of Fine Arts. The Fisher Gallery was renamed the Fisher Museum of Art in 2008. The Gallery Directors have worked to secure funding for exhibitions and museum programs, participated in various museum committees and professional associations, and attended events abroad and in the United States. In addition to showing its permanent collection, the Fisher Gallery organized exhibitions and presented traveling exhibits.

Administrative History

In 1939, the Fisher Gallery was established at the University of Southern California University Park campus as the first museum in Los Angeles dedicated to the collection and exhibition of fine arts. Mrs. Elizabeth Holmes Fisher contributed the funds to build the Gallery and donated her collection of European and American art to USC. In 1942, the Gallery was expanded with a new exhibit space, the Quinn wing. Winnifred Poingdestre was the first Director of the Fisher Gallery until retiring in 1957.

From 1958 to 1971, Dr. Edward S. Peck led the Fisher Gallery as the Director. In the summer of 1964, the Friends of Art of USC was formed by community lovers of art and loyal friends of the University. In 1965, the Fisher Gallery enhanced its permanent collection with a gift of fifty paintings from Dr. Armand Hammer.

Donald Brewer was the Director of the Fisher Gallery from 1971 to 1980. Also known as the University Art Galleries during this period, the Fisher Gallery began an active changing exhibition program in the late 1970s.

With the appointment of Dr. Selma Holo in 1981 as the Director of the Gallery and the USC Museum Studies Program, the Fisher Gallery officially became part of the USC School of Fine Arts. The Museum Studies Program (MSP) offered a master's degree in Art History focused on graduate training in the curatorial, educational and administration of art museums. The MSP was closed in 2005. In 1989, the Fisher Gallery gained accreditation from the American Association of Museums, and it became autonomous in operation, separated from the governance of the USC School of Fine Arts. The Fisher Gallery was renamed the Fisher Museum of Art in 2008.

The Gallery Directors have worked to secure funding for exhibitions and museum programs, participated in various museum committees and professional associations, and attended events abroad and in the United States. In addition to showing its permanent collection, the Fisher Gallery organized exhibitions and presented traveling exhibits.