UCSD - University of California - San Diego

08/27/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/27/2026 08:20

Guggenheim Gallery Established in the Strauss Family Gallery at UC San Diego

Published Date

August 27, 2026

Article Content

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.

The Guggenheim Gallery will be housed within the new Strauss Family Gallery, set to open in spring 2027.

"We are deeply grateful to David and Claire Guggenheim for their generosity and belief in the arts at UC San Diego," said Jess Berlanga Taylor, executive director and chief campus curator. "The Strauss will be an extraordinary space for contemporary art at the intersection of science and technology, and their gift helps make that vision possible."

David's connection to art began early. His great-aunt owned the Bertha Schaefer Gallery in New York City and introduced him to the city's art world while he was beginning his career at IBM in the late 1960s. On several occasions, he accompanied her to gallery openings and had the opportunity to experience New York City's vibrant art scene.

Art also filled the homes of his mother and aunts, and David later inherited a collection that includes European paintings - one from 1580 - as well as contemporary art and sculpture. The new gallery at the Strauss will bring that passion for art together with the Guggenheims' longstanding connection to UC San Diego.

This most recent gift adds to the Guggenheims' legacy of generosity to UC San Diego. The couple made a $1 million gift to name the Guggenheim Theatre at UC San Diego Park & Market in 2022. The gift reflected their enthusiasm for helping the university establish a greater presence in downtown San Diego and create new opportunities for arts, culture, education and community engagement.

When David learned about the Strauss, he saw another opportunity to support the arts. He toured the project while it was under construction and recalls being immediately drawn to the gallery that will now carry the Guggenheims' names.

"I have always loved art and sculpture, and I wanted to support a true gallery - a permanent place for people to experience art," David said. "The Strauss is going to be a very special addition to the university, and we are thrilled to be part of it."

A Longstanding Connection

The Guggenheims moved from the East Coast to San Diego in 1981 after careers in law and accounting, drawn by the region's climate and outdoor lifestyle. While living in University City, they frequently walked through the UC San Diego campus.

Their connections to UC San Diego and the surrounding community continued to deepen. In 1983, David joined the inaugural class of the UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardener program. In 1984, they became patrons of La Jolla Playhouse, just one year after the theater reopened on the UC San Diego campus. David Guggenheim now serves on the Playhouse's Planned Giving Committee.

The Guggenheims found another meaningful connection to the university in 2018, when they saw an advertisement for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UC San Diego and decided to join. David later became chair of the Osher Advisory Council.

"UC San Diego has events and programs happening all the time, and we feel very fortunate to live so close to the university," said David. "Osher, in particular, has been a godsend for us. We have made lifelong friends there, and it has become a very meaningful part of our lives."

The Guggenheims' philanthropy also reflects their commitment to expanding educational opportunity. They have included Chancellor's Associates in their estate plans to support students with financial need, alongside planned gifts to organizations including La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego Humane Society, KPBS and Jewish Family Service.

"We have been fortunate, and we are in a position to give back," he said. "For us, these gifts are about creating a legacy and supporting the organizations that have enriched our lives and our community."

To learn more about the Strauss, visit tritoncenter.ucsd.edu/strauss.

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