Raised in Toronto, Canada, Frank Gehry moved in 1947 with his family to Los Angeles where he subsequently received his Bachelor of Architecture degree at the University of Southern California in 1954. Upon graduating, he enlisted in the US Army and with the assistance of the GI Bill, he studied City Planning at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design until 1957. Since then, Mr. Gehry has built an architectural career that has spanned over six decades and he has produced public and private buildings in America, Europe and Asia. His work has earned Mr. Gehry significant awards and honors from governments and organizations, including the Pritzker Prize; Companion to the Order of Canada; the distinction of Chevalier and later elevated to the rank of Commandeur of the National Order of the Legion of Honour, which is the highest honor in France for military; the Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom under US President Barack Obama. In 2014 Frank Gehry co-founded Turnaround Arts California with Malissa Shriver.
“The arts should belong to everybody, and every kid should have the chance for a good education. Access to the arts and a high-quality education aren’t two different ideas, they are one reality.” – Frank Gehry