Donations

Friends of Villa Aurora is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering international artistic and intellectual exchange. We operate an artists’ residency in the historic former home of Lion and Marta Feuchtwanger in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles-a landmark that once served as a vibrant gathering place for German and European exiles, including luminaries such as Thomas Mann, Bertolt Brecht, and Charlie Chaplin, who found refuge and inspiration in Southern California during the 1930s and 1940s.

Since 2017, our commitment to transatlantic dialogue has expanded with the stewardship of the Thomas Mann House, transforming another iconic residence into a dynamic forum for exchange and debate between leading thinkers from both sides of the Atlantic.

While Villa Aurora receives generous support from the German Federal Foreign Office and the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, our mission depends on the vital partnership of donors like you. Private contributions are essential to sustaining our public programs, artist residencies, and fellowships, ensuring that these historic homes remain beacons of creativity, memory, and cross-cultural understanding.

Your support has made possible the restoration of our historic pipe organ-a centerpiece of our programming-and continues to help us welcome new generations of artists, writers, and intellectuals. Donations are tax-deductible and grant you and a guest complimentary or discounted access to ticketed events at the Villa. By joining our community, you become part of a dedicated circle of friends committed to advancing the arts and strengthening international cultural exchange.

Thank you for helping us keep these lights of creativity and dialogue burning bright.