Incoming Arts and Culture Chair Pamela Beck
on Her Goals
By Danielle Berjikian
What made you want to serve on the Arts and Culture Commission? With my background in both the performing arts and the visual arts, I thought serving on the Arts and Culture Commission would be the perfect way for me to give back to the city I love and the city where my husband and I raised our two sons. I thought it would be an opportunity to contribute to the cultural fabric of Beverly Hills.
You’ve worked across multiple creative disciplines— writing, film, and visual art. Tell us about your career. I’ve always had a deep love for the arts, both performing and visual. I started in theater—I was a theater major. I acted and danced in productions growing up. In my early 20s, my passion shifted to writing. Although I’ve been writing since I was a little kid, it wasn’t with a career in mind. I wrote two New York Times bestsellers, one of which became a TV movie produced by Aaron Spelling. I’ve also developed projects for film and television, and I’m currently producing a Broadway musical that just premiered at Paper Mill Playhouse. My love for the visual arts began when I was 18, studying at the Sorbonne in Paris. I spent hours haunting the Louvre, the d’Orsay, and the Marmottan. My husband was raised around contemporary art, and I fell in love with that, too. We’ve been collecting for over 40 years. During the pandemic, I discovered a whole new chapter—making art myself—and it’s become a huge part of my life. I think a lot of people found new chapters during COVID.
“I believe arts and culture are the soul of any city, and Beverly Hills has world-class talent and creative thinkers all around us”
The City Council recently approved The Great Elephant Migration proposal. Tell us about that. The music is going to be done by Rachel Warby, who is the music director. I know she’s super, super excited about it. But it’s been a time of transition with the City Council reevaluating the structure of all our commissions. Because of that, we’ve been operating with just three of our five commissioners, but we have a super busy slate for the coming months.
What is the Arts and Culture Commission currently working on? We’re finalizing the acquisition of Judy Chicago’s powerful Trinity sculpture, which will be placed in front of the Wallis where the Lichtenstein was. We’re also managing the restoration of our beloved Kusama sculpture. We’re still working on Festival Beverly Hills, which celebrates music, dance, and performance, and is something that brings joy to residents and visitors alike. One of the projects I’m most looking forward to is working with the Wallis to create a series of themed film festivals— Preston Sturges, Hitchcock, Bette Davis, or even Beverly Hills-based composers who reside here. Imagine a movie night in Beverly Hills where you park at the Wallis, walk to dinner at a nearby restaurant, then head back to the Wallis for the screening, perhaps followed by a post-screening talkback with a special guest. I think it’s an incredible way to support the arts while also activating our local restaurants and businesses.
You have been involved with a number of arts institutions in Los Angeles, including serving on the board for the Wallis. How do those experiences help shape your work with the Arts and Culture Commission? I served on the Center Theatre Group board for over 20 years. I’m new to the Wallis board; I joined maybe a minute before I joined the commission. There just seemed to be a perfect synergy between the two. I’m also on the Callan Theatre board in Palm Springs. I’ve co-chaired the Music Center’s Spotlight Awards, which are for high school-age kids all around Southern California. They compete and then perform at either the Music Center or Walt Disney Concert Hall, depending on availability. But most importantly, they get to work with master teachers in their f ield—whether it’s classical music, classical dance, modern dance, or all different performing arts. It’s an extraordinary opportunity for these kids, many of whom go on to join the L.A. Philharmonic or perform on Broadway. This program is very near and dear to my heart. I think all of those experiences help me understand how our performing arts institutions work, and I see that as valuable for our city.
Tell us about your family. I’ve been married [to Dennis Beck] since I was 21. We have two sons, and they’re both married with children. We have six grandchildren and our sons were raised here.
Your sister-in-law, Maralee Beck, who was profiled in Issue #1246, was also past chair of the Arts and Culture Commission. What advice has she given you? Rather than advice, she set a great example. I think she was a terrific chair. Whatever Maralee does, she throws her whole heart into it and does it really well. She’s been involved in other commissions, and she’s a natural-born leader.
What are some goals you have as chair? As chair, I’m excited to wrap up the Judy Chicago acquisition and begin looking toward our next major public art addition. I believe the city’s art collection should be vibrant, dynamic, and a reflection of our city. I already have some exciting artists in mind to propose. I want to support our fantastic staff with ongoing programs like our Art Fair, which is always a highlight for families, kids, and art lovers of all ages, as well as our art walks. More broadly, I hope to help enrich the arts in Beverly Hills. I believe arts and culture are the soul of any city, and Beverly Hills has world-class talent and creative thinkers all around us. I want to make sure we’re nurturing that energy not just in formal venues, but throughout the public realm. I see this as a time of opportunity and reinvention, and I’m thrilled to help lead the commission through its next chapter. With the Olympics on the horizon, this is an important time. I take huge pride in our beautiful and truly unique city, and I want to show it off.