The Charles & Ray Eames Foundation: Preserving Legacy, Inspiring the Future

Charles (1907–1978) and Ray (1912–1988) Eames are among the most influential designers of the 20th century. Partners in life and work, they redefined design as both a method and a mindset—rooted in curiosity, problem-solving, and hands-on experimentation. From their Los Angeles-based Eames Office, they produced groundbreaking work across furniture, architecture, exhibitions, film, photography, and education, where collaboration itself was the true medium.

Their legacy endures through icons such as the Eames Lounge Chair, the Eames House, the film Powers of Ten, and the exhibition Mathematica. The scale and clarity of their work remain unmatched—few designers have achieved such lasting cultural and commercial relevance across generations and around the world.

After Charles’s death in 1978 and Ray’s, exactly ten years to the day later in 1988, the Eames Office became the family’s means of stewarding both the cultural and commercial legacy, later establishing the Eames House Preservation Foundation. This vision evolved into today’s Charles & Ray Eames Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds on the preservation mission while extending the cultural work long championed by the Eames Office.

With the Eames Office as founding sponsor, the Foundation preserves the Eames House and fosters a global network of collections and initiatives. It highlights not only the Eameses’ iconic designs but also their equally vital contributions to education, photography, filmmaking, and exhibitions. Through exhibitions, research, and public engagement, the Foundation demonstrates how the Eameses’ optimism and human-centered design continue to inspire. Current initiatives include the Eames Fellowship (2025), publication of Charles Eames’s Norton Lectures, and major exhibitions such as Eames Architecture (2026).

Guided by Charles’s words— “Eventually everything connects”—the Foundation celebrates the enduring power of design to link people, ideas, and generations.

Eames Demetrios, grandson of Charles & Ray Eames, is Chairman of the Board, and Adrienne Luce is the Executive Director of the Charles & Ray Eames Foundation

Visit www.eamesfoundation.org and follow @EamesFoundation on Instagram.

Photo Credits: © 2025 Eames Office, LLC. All rights reserved.

Attendee Information

  • What are the appropriate ages for this activity?Person Ages 13 and older
  • Are pets, animals, or service animals permitted?Dog on a leash No pets, service animals permitted
  • What are the mobility considerations for this activity?Person walking Seated activity
  • Are restrooms available?Restroom sign Restrooms available
  • Is this an indoor or outdoor activity?Sun Indoor activity
  • What is the policy regarding smoking?Cigarette with smoke No smoking or e-cigarettes
  • What type of ADA accessibility is available?Wheelchair Wheelchair accessible
The organizer of this event is: Modernism Week Annenberg Theater Activity

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