L.A. Museums' Collections Grow Despite Poor Economy

The riches reflect the collective work of museum staffs and support groups as well as the generosity of individual philanthropists. But each museum is a special case.

Although the Getty's huge endowment allows it to make multimillion-dollar purchases, the museum also attracts donations of art. Last year, about 500 photographs and three 19th century paintings arrived as gifts from two dozen donors. The Norton Simon Museum makes relatively little effort to expand the collection amassed by its founder, but it still receives gifts. In 2008, a suite of 10 Indian paintings was given to the museum by Southern California collectors Dr. Narendra and Rita Parson.