Collectors’ Councils Expand Huntington’s Collections

“It has been incredibly rewarding to work alongside the accomplished and talented Library curators, director, and staff to help build The Huntington’s holdings,” she says. “And not only that, but the council is also tremendous fun!”

Kirsten Hansen, chair of the Art Collectors’ Council, views her role as an ambassador to expand the council’s membership and welcome new art enthusiasts to the group. “Art can be intimidating, but you don’t have to be an expert or a collector to be part of the Art Collectors’ Council,” Hansen says. “You just need an appreciation for art and an interest in learning. Plus, the curators are extremely knowledgeable, and it’s phenomenal to have access to artists and special collections.”

The Art and Library Collectors’ Councils “play a vital role in helping The Huntington … tell new stories that promote cross-cultural understanding.” —Alexandra Patsavas Rosenfeld

Each year the Art and Library Collectors’ Councils, two enthusiastic groups of Huntington supporters, donate funds to help the institution purchase new items. “The councils play a vital role in helping The Huntington acquire relevant objects,” Rosenfeld says. “And through these acquisitions, there are opportunities to tell new stories that promote cross-cultural understanding.”

Each season council members participate in curator-led outings, visits to artists’ studios, and tours of the Library, among many other engaging events. The year culminates with a special gala for each council, where curators present prospective items that will enhance the collections established by founders Henry E. and Arabella Huntington. Then, the council members discuss and vote on the new acquisitions.

“The Library Collectors’ Council convenes annually to hear our curators bring to life the voices of other times and places—voices that are embodied in books, letters, photos, and ephemera,” said Sandra Brooke Gordon, Avery Director of the Library. “Over the years, through the council members’ collective wisdom, they have selected scores of these voices to make a permanent home at The Huntington. We are grateful for their generosity, discernment, and friendship.”

The Art Collectors’ Council has played a pivotal role in expanding the museum collections by adding more than 100 works of art over the last three decades. During its 30th anniversary celebration in 2024, the council voted to acquire American, British, and Asian art, including a 12th-century Chinese silk fan and a bronze sculpture from the Harlem Renaissance. “These new additions will delight, educate, and inspire visitors and scholars well into the future,” said Christina Nielsen, Hannah and Russel Kully Director of the Art Museum. “They add luster to our already world-renowned collection, and they add new dimensions to the stories we can tell.”