In the wake of a near collapse, a $30 million bailout by philanthropist Eli Broad, and this week's announcement that it would reduce operating expenses and cut staff by 20 percent, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, is now looking to fill the empty spots on its board of trustees, reports the L.A. Times blog Culture Monster.

Nine of 35 trustees have left the board since last fall. Peter Morton, co-founder of the Hard Rock Cafe, departed in September, followed in November by financier Arthur H. Bilger and Christopher V. Walker. In December, Guess Inc. magnate Maurice Marciano, developer Douglas R. Ring, and Jennifer Simchowitz resigned. Rosette Delug, Ruth Bloom, and former A&M Records exec Gil Riesen left in January.

E. Blake Byrne, who in 2004 made one of the largest donations in MOCA's history, is also gone, although a spokeswoman for the museum said that he had taken a leave of absence.

MOCA CEO Charles E. Young said that he is in the process of meeting with everyone who's left the board and hopefully convincing some members to return. "I think some have agreed to at least reconsider, depending in part on whether we are truly going to do what I told them we are going to do."

Young declined to disclose how much trustees are required to pledge annually but said that MOCA's leaders are determined to re-build the board. Museum officials said that the $20 million in current trustee pledges remains unaffected.