Adam F Gross

Los Angeles, CA   •   (213) 595-0263   •   adam@grossartla.com   •   linkedin.com/in/adam-f-gross/

PHILANTHROPIC & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL

A seasoned Business Development executive with 25+ years in fostering institutional growth and business expansion, with a focus on philanthropy and the arts. Skilled in building strong Southern California patron relationships, I've led teams to raise over $45M and executed numerous high-profile events and exhibitions. My experience includes successfully pitching major grants and partnerships to notable entities such as Netflix, Sotheby’s, The Getty, Bank of America, JP Morgan Private Bank, and more.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Relationship Development • Project Management • Client / Donor Communication • Partner Development • Annual Giving • Product Development • Strategic Planning • Fine Art • Business Development • Sales Networking • Public Relations • Event Planning • Philanthropy • Project Strategizing • Performance Coaching

EXPERIENCE

Director – Creative and Production

Gross Art – grossartla.com | Los Angeles, CA

A commercial and marketing agency servicing collectors, artists, businesses, and nonprofits. 

6/2019 - Present

• Developed and maintained private fine art collections, as well as corporate collaborations (Toyota and Alterna).

• Oversaw the full spectrum of business planning, strategic direction, and execution of ADLAR Studio, an angel investor funded, augmented reality (AR), fine art publishing startup, securing over $500k in initial funding.

Select Achievements 

• Managed development of a mobile phone application and seven AR editions over two years, working in collaboration with artists including Kenny Scharf, Analia Saban, Marilyn Minter, The Haas Brothers, and others.

• Opened SPACE 1028 in the new gallery district of Melrose Hill (LA) as a temporary project space during the COVID lockdown with an exhibition of prints by Raymond Pettibon.

• Negotiated the successful acquisition of the majority of the final SPACE 1028 exhibition ('Studio (E.R.),’ photographs by Mark Ruwedel) by the Getty Museum.

Director

The Lapis Press – lapispress.com | Culver City, CA

Fine Art Edition and book publishing company founded by the iconic LA artist Sam Francis in 1984.

6/2013 - 6/2019

• Directed a comprehensive reorganization of the business structure and annual objectives, including conducting market and organizational analyses to identify expansion opportunities. Led a team in developing and implementing a holistic strategy that effectively engaged key stakeholders.  Helped raise over $1M in funding for the company.

• Restructured the organization, including staff, production, finance, insurance, strategic planning, and employment policies, aligning them with the company’s evolving goals and market demands.

Select Achievements

• Managed a dynamic team of printmakers and specialists, alongside a diverse network of collaborators, resulting in the successful production of over 30 editions, various projects, and special events.

• Cultivated strategic partnerships with renowned artists, key organizations, and major corporations, including Netflix, JP Morgan (LA) and Vontobel (Zurich) private banks.

• Initiated and executed the landmark joint acquisition of the Lapis Editions archive by both LACMA and the Hammer Museum, demonstrating exceptional negotiation and relationship-building skills.

• Led the organization to achieve profitability for the first time in its 35-year history.

Executive Director

Art Platform – Los Angeles (MMPI / Vornado) | Los Angeles, California

A 100+ exhibitor art fair for Los Angeles, in partnership with New York’s The Armory Show.

10/2010 – 6/2013

• Collaborated with The Armory Show in New York and a multi-regional US team to conceptualize, develop, and launch Art Platform–Los Angeles in 2011 and 2012, a fair featuring over 100 exhibitors in modern and contemporary art. Managed all aspects of development, marketing, and production.

• Coordinated outreach to galleries, sponsors, and collectors, focusing on trustees and VIPs from over 50 partner organizations, in addition to engaging The Armory Show VIPs and international guests.

Select Achievements 

• Spearheaded the design, budgeting, and comprehensive management of the VIP program in collaboration with the Getty Foundation for the inaugural Pacific Standard Time: Art in LA, 1945 - 1980 initiative.

• Managed annual budgets over $2.5M, collaborating with teams, vendors, and partners to meet and exceed both organizational and profitability objectives.

• Authored and presented sponsorship proposals and decks in the range of $50K to $300K to fund exhibitions, programs, and events, subsequently capturing sponsorships with multiple key brands such as Bank of America / US Trust, Chanel, sbe Entertainment, Patina Restaurant Group, XO Jets, Sotheby’s, et al.

Associate Director of Development

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) – moca.org | Los Angeles, California

MOCA (Los Angeles) was founded in 1979 as the first and defining museum of contemporary art.

7/2006 – 9/2010

• Developed and led a team of development professionals, expanding support through a robust network of individual philanthropists, corporate sponsors, and foundation partnerships.

• Directed a team responsible for organizing donor development events and MOCATravel, including the successful execution of fundraising auctions and fine art initiatives.

• Launched and managed MOCA’s first planned giving program; provided leadership to the Membership Department as Interim Director during a key transitional phase.

• Engaged in strategic recruitment and development of several new trustees and major donors.

Select Achievements 

• Played a key role in steering MOCA through the 2008-10 financial crisis, securing over $3M in gifts during this period, contributing significantly to organizational stability and recovery.

• Increased donations in upper-level categories by over 100% within three years, consistently cultivating annually over $3M in gifts, excluding extraordinary one-time contributions.

• Spearheaded intricate administrative initiatives, including a comprehensive review and reconfirmation of over $10M in outstanding pledges, and implemented improved processes for outreach and acknowledgment.

EDUCTATION

University of California | Los Angeles, California

• Master of Arts – Art History / Contemporary Art (2008)

• Bachelors of Arts – Art History and International Economics (1993)

Institute D’Etudes Politiques (Sciences Po) | Grenoble, France

• Studies in Art History, Economics, and Political Science (1990 – 1991)

Sotheby’s Institute of Art at Claremont Graduate University | Claremont, California

Adjunct Professor   2015 – 2016

• Conceived, created, and taught a graduate-level course on art fairs and biennials. 

SKILLS

Languages

• French – Fluent

• Italian & Spanish – Proficient

• German – Basic 

Computing

30+ years of professional work experience using MS Windows and MacOS, utilizing Google Workspace and MS Office. 

Advanced skills in professional software (e.g. Salesforce & Raiser’s Edge).