Dr. V. Joy Simmons is an art collector and philanthropist who has supported the work of artists of African descent and more broadly, of artists whose work is informed and inspired by Black culture. Recognizing the importance of sustaining a healthy arts ecosystem, Dr. Simmons mentors the next generation of art collectors and cultivates interest in supporting the networks of culture that sustain creativity. She has played a vital role in the establishment and growth of various small to mid-size institutions that now help define Los Angeles’s vibrant cultural landscape. She served as a founding Board member of LAXART, The Watts House Project, and The Mistake Room where she currently serves as Board Chair. Having recently retired from a long career as a physician at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, she is currently working as the Senior Art and Exhibition Advisor for Destination Crenshaw, a 1.3 mile public art corridor down Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles. She has been an active supporter of the Arts and diversity at Stanford where she served as a Trustee of the University. Dr. Simmons currently serves as a Commissioner of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Additionally, the Governor of California recently appointed Dr. Simmons to the board of the California African American Museum. Dr. Simmons has been a longtime supporter of Prospect since its inception.
