David and Claire Guggenheim have donated $2 million to the University of California San Diego to establish the David and Claire Guggenheim Gallery, a space within the Strauss Family Gallery, an arts destination taking shape in the university’s new Triton Center.
Commonly known as the Guggenheim Gallery, the space will serve as the entry point to the Strauss, which was established with a gift from Matthew and Iris Strauss and the Strauss Family Foundation in 2023 that included more than 100 pieces of world-class art from around the globe, ranging from paintings to mixed-media pieces to sculptures.
The gift to name the Guggenheim Gallery within the Strauss reflects the Guggenheims’ lifelong appreciation for the arts and their belief that a gallery of this caliber is fitting for UC San Diego.
“Great universities are distinguished by the many different experiences they offer, and I believe an art gallery is an important part of that,” said David Guggenheim. “We are excited to help create a place where students, alumni and members of the community can experience art on campus. We also see this gift as a legacy that will continue to enrich UC San Diego long into the future.”
With the addition of the Strauss Family Gallery at Triton Center, UC San Diego will broaden its vibrant arts ecosystem, serving as a gateway to the arts that connects visitors near and far. The Strauss is designed to maximize interactions with art across the full spectrum of material possibilities – including sculpture, video, sound and expanded reality.