The NY Times’ ArtsBeat reports that the National Gallery is offering another option for LA’s MoCA, a five-year deal to share programming that might help keep the museum independent even if it doesn’t help it raise any money:

“The goal at this point is stabilizing them and get them standing as an independent institution,” said John Wilmerding, chairman of the board of the National Gallery. “We’d like to see them survive and thrive, and if we can help them, that’s all we’re doing.”

Mr. Wilmerding said the billionaire Eli Broad, one of the Museum of Contemporary Art’s biggest financial supporters, had approached the National Gallery and asked for assistance. Dismissing rumors of any merger or formal partnership, Mr. Wilmerding said the discussions so far had focused almost solely on joint programming and exhibitions. The National Gallery is also offering help with research, curatorial decisions and staffing advice, if needed.

Los Angeles MOCA Mulls Pact with National Gallery (ArtsBeat/NYTimes)