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About the Associates of Brand Library and Art Center
The new addition was dedicated in October 1969 and the non-profit Associates of Brand Cultural Arts Center was formed the same year from a committee of musicians, artists, dancers, art & music organizations, and others appointed by the Glendale City Council to coordinate the opening art exhibit, lecture, and music programs.
In years past there were eleven Art exhibits in the Brand Galleries sponsored by the Associates. There were Gallery Receptions and Artist Talks on one Sunday each month except in July. For this current 2005-2006 season there are four Art Installations scheduled including the Associates Annual National Art Completion: Brand 35, Works on Paper. The only city owned Art Gallery in Glendale is closed on Sundays when it would be most convenient for the public to visit. Unfortunately (due to past and present City of Glendale budget constraints) the Brand, with its extensive art & music collections, can not be fully staffed and is usually available to the public twenty-nine hours per week.
History
The Art Library is now housed in a mansion built in 1904. The Music Library, Art Galleries and Recital-Lecture Hall were added in 1969.
The facility is located in Brand Park high in the foothills, at the northern end of Grandview Avenue, above Mountain Street, overlooking Glendale and the San Fernando Valley. The original mansion was built by Leslie C. Brand and named El Miradero. The design is similar to the East Indian Pavilion built for the 1893 Columbian World Exposition held in Chicago and visited by Mr. L.C. Brand. The architecture is considered Saracenic, with crenellated arches, bulbous domes and minars combining characteristics of Spanish, Moorish, and Indian styles. In contrast to the cool white exterior, a Victorian decor was followed inside.
Mr. Brand died in the house in 1925. He bequeathed El Miradero to the city, although Mrs. Brand retained rights of residence until 1945. The will provided that the property should be used exclusively for a public park and library. Mrs. Brand died in 1945, and by 1956 the mansion had been converted into Brand Library. Ten years later, in response to the need for larger quarters to serve the growing interest of the community, the city council allocated funds to construct an addition to Brand Library that would include facilities for art exhibitions, lectures, and concerts, as well as art and craft studios.
Entrance to the Art & Music Library is through the original front doors of the Brand residence. A separate entrance welcomes visitors to the Art Gallery and Recital-Lecture Hall events. A third entry at street level leads to the Art & Crafts studios and the Art & Culture Commission offices, operated under the direction of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Division.
The Future of the Brand Library & Art Center
In March of 2008 Cindy Cleary, Acting Director of Libraries announced City Council approval of an additional $3.6 million, bringing the total budget for the Brand Library renovation to $7.4 million. City Council’s approval of this additional funding is in recognition of Brand’s important role in the community as an architectural and cultural icon. The funding will allow for ADA improvements, a seismic retrofit, upgrades to the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and most notably restoration and rehabilitation of the 1904 mansion. The project will also include space planning that will provide a more efficient library space.
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