Private funeral services were pending Thursday for Glorya Kaufman, who donated millions to nurture the dance performances and education in Los Angeles and whose name graces buildings at both USC and UCLA.
Kaufman died Tuesday at age 95, though no details were immediately released. According to USC — where she served as a Life Trustee — she “died peacefully surrounded by family and friends.”
Her name is most notably associated with the “Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center” series, which was established thanks to a $20 million donation she made to The Music Center in 2009 — the largest donation of its kind in L.A. dance history.
“Her gift to The Music Center has made it possible for us to bring the joy and beauty of dance into the hearts, minds and souls of countless Angelenos and visitors from around the world,” Rachel S. Moore, president and CEO of The Music Center, said in a statement. “As a result of Glorya’s significant visionary leadership and generosity, `Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center’ today stands as a vital part of Los Angeles’ cultural fabric.
“We are honored to call Glorya a cherished friend and a devoted supporter of our work. We convey our heartfelt condolences to Glorya’s family and friends and will dedicate our upcoming 2025-2026 season of `Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center’ to celebrate her legacy.”
Kaufman financed the creation of the USC Kaufman School of Dance, which opened in 2012, housed in the Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center, which opened in 2013. The amount of her donation was never revealed, but USC described it as one of the largest in the history of American dance.
“Glorya’s love for dance was contagious, and she spread that love by creating opportunities for people everywhere to experience the transformative impact and joy of the arts,” USC Interim President Beong-Soo Kim said in a statement. “She was a valued trustee whom I was fortunate to spend time with just last week at the (USC Board of Trustees) meeting. Her legacy will continue to touch generations of USC Kaufman students for decades to come.”
Kaufman’s generosity also extended to UCLA, to which she donated $18 million in 1999 for restoration of a women’s gym, now known as Glorya Kaufman Hall.
Her supported extended to a variety of arts and community organizations over the years, most recently seen with the 2023 opening of the Glorya Kaufman Performing Arts Center at Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services.
Kaufman was married to Donald Kaufman, co-founder of the homebuilding company now known as KB Home. He died in 1983.
In its online tribute, USC noted that she contributed to organizations including St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Cedars-Sinai/USC Glorya Kaufman Dance Medicine Center, the Jules Stein Eye Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, City of Hope and the American Jewish University. She also gave to the Venice Family Clinic to create its Glorya Kaufman Eye Clinic.
Kaufman is survived by children Laura, Gayl, Curtis and Zuade, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.