Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is recognized as the largest encyclopedic art museum in the western United States. Its extensive collections, featuring over 100,000 pieces, cover the history of art from ancient to modern times across various global cultures.

• Address: 5905 Wilshire Blvd. (between Fairfax and Curson, halfway between Downtown LA and Santa Monica), Los Angeles, CA 90036
• Free Admission Days: Free for all visitors on the 2nd Tuesday of each month and during select holiday Mondays. LA County residents enjoy free admission on weekdays after 3 PM.
• Parking: Paid parking structure on 6th Street just east of Fairfax (free entry after 7 PM). Additional parking is available at the Petersen Automotive Museum and Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits. Metered parking is also available on surrounding streets; please adhere to posted hours and time limits. More parking options near LACMA.
• Bonus: Free wireless internet is offered at LACMA West through the Plaza Cafe.

LACMA has undergone several changes since it began as part of the Los Angeles Museum of History, Science, and Art in Exposition Park. The current museum building opened in 1965 in Hancock Park, situated on Museum Row along Miracle Mile next to the iconic La Brea Tar Pits. By 1992, LACMA expanded from the original three buildings to six, which included the transformation of the former May Company department store into LACMA West. This building has subsequently been assigned to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the new Academy Museum, which opened in 2019.

Currently, LACMA is undergoing a significant transformation project. Phase I introduced the Broad Contemporary Art Museum, the Entrance Pavilion, and a new parking structure, which opened in early 2008. The first segment of Phase II, the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Pavilion, debuted in September 2010, along with Ray’s farm-to-table restaurant and Stark Bar in 2011. Future plans include replacing the original four buildings of the east campus with a single, earthquake-stable, solar-powered structure designed to enhance the art viewing experience.

Orientation and Overview

LACMA houses an incredible collection of art from around the globe; however, navigating the vast museum can be challenging. The maps provided at the museum indicate the locations of the buildings but do not outline the interior gallery layouts. Fortunately, numerous security personnel are available to guide visitors.

Visitors enter the museum through the Grand Entrance, which is accessible from Wilshire Boulevard right behind the Urban Light installation or via the parking garage elevator and Hancock Park. Adjacent to the ticket booth, Ray’s and Stark’s Bar offer dining options for guests.

The east side of the campus features the Ahmanson Building and the Hammer Building, connected at a right angle, allowing visitors to flow freely between galleries. Notably, a bridge connects the second floor of the Hammer Building to the Art of the Americas Building, previously known as the Modern and Contemporary Art Building. Furthermore, the Pavilion for Japanese Art boasts a striking design with its own entrance. The Bing Center serves as a stand-alone building housing several auditoriums and a cafe.

On the west side of the entry plaza, guests will find the Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM), which showcases the contemporary art collection along Wilshire Boulevard. The Resnick Pavilion, LACMA’s latest addition, is a 45,000 square foot exhibit building located behind BCAM.

Collections

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art features over 100,000 artworks spread across twenty-one distinct collections, including:

• African Art
• Art of the Americas:
  • Art of the Ancient Americas
  • Art of Latin America
  • Art of the United States
• Asian Art
  • Chinese Art
  • Japanese Art
  • Korean Art
  • South and Southeast Asian Art
• European Art
  • European Painting
  • European Sculpture
  • German Expressionist Art
  • Greek and Roman Art
• Ancient Near Eastern Art
• Egyptian Art
• Islamic Art
• Contemporary Art
• Costumes and Textiles
• Decorative Arts and Design
• Modern Art
• Photography
• Prints and Drawings

Broad Contemporary Art Museum at LACMA

The Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM) opened its doors at LACMA in February 2008. This establishment, backed by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad, initially showcased a full floor of artworks from the Broad’s personal collection. Today, the museum primarily hosts temporary contemporary art exhibits following the relocation of the Broads’ collection to their own dedicated museum downtown.

Resnick Exhibition Pavilion

Opened in 2010, the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Exhibition Pavilion is located behind the Broad Contemporary building. Designed by the renowned architect Renzo Piano, this single-story building features an impressive 45,000 square feet of naturally lit exhibit space divided into three sections. The pavilion’s interior is brightened by numerous vertical skylights.

Upon entering, visitors are welcomed into a vast open gallery that extends the full length of the building. The layout includes large spaces adaptable for various temporary exhibits, while smaller chambers to the left display the Resnick Collection of fine art and furnishings.

Urban Light Installation at LACMA

Chris Burden’s Urban Light installation, positioned on the sidewalk outside LACMA, is considered one of Los Angeles’ most beloved and photographed landmarks. This striking piece consists of 202 antique streetlights collected from neighborhoods within Los Angeles.

Levitated Mass

The Levitated Mass installation features a colossal 340-ton granite rock balanced across a wide 456-foot-long trough. The brainchild of artist Michael Heizer, this work invites visitors to walk underneath it. Originally planned in 1969, the project faced delays due to the inability to transport such a large rock until modern equipment became available. The 340-ton boulder, which was relocated to LACMA, fell off a quarry wall during controlled detonation operations and was painstakingly transported over 11 nights through four counties.

According to LACMA, “Taken whole, Levitated Mass speaks to the expanse of art history — encompassing ancient traditions of creating artworks from megalithic rock to contemporary artistic expressions of abstract geometry and groundbreaking engineering.”

Programs

LACMA offers a range of programs designed to enhance visitor experiences, including:

• Education Department: Featuring art lectures, symposia, and talks with artists.
• Film Department: Presents films showcasing the artistry tied to various art forms.
• Department of Music Programs: More than 100 concerts annually, including genres like classical, jazz, and new music. Regular series include Friday Night Jazz and Sundays Live classical concerts.
• Art Classes: Studio art classes for children and adults, as well as art history classes for adults.

Tours and Talks

Docents at LACMA offer a variety of ways to engage with the art, including 15-minute presentations on specific pieces, themed 50-minute tours, and “Art Chats” focusing on special exhibitions. Themes change regularly, so visitors are encouraged to check the calendar for their visit date.

Moreover, customized tours can be arranged through Quick Culture art appreciation tours, allowing for a personalized exploration of the museum. Guests can also partake in a fun scavenger hunt organized by Watson Adventures.

LACMA for Kids

The Boone Children’s Gallery located in the Hammer Building is free for children and adults, featuring hands-on activities corresponding with different themes from the museum’s collection. Additionally, Story Time for young children takes place in the Korean galleries every Monday and Friday at 2 PM.

Besides free admission for children under 17, kids enrolled in LACMA’s NextGen program can bring an adult visitor at no additional cost. Membership does not require residency in LA. Members receive a Family Guide, providing insight on engaging with various pieces in the permanent collection, and can check out an Art Tote with tools designed to enhance the art exploration experience. A complimentary children’s audio tour offers stories about specific artworks.

Family Sundays feature special programming from 12:30 to 3:30 PM almost every week, offering family tours and activities that complement special exhibits. Various art classes are also available for children, teens, families, and adults.

Restaurants

LACMA offers three dining options operated by the Patina Group:

Ray’s and Stark Bar: The fine dining choice at the Grand Entrance provides both indoor and outdoor seating, showcasing farm-to-table cuisine and a full bar. It is advisable to make reservations in advance.

LACMA Café: Found in the Bing Center, this casual restaurant serves sandwiches, a seasonal salad bar, baked goods, and hot dishes, offering both indoor and outdoor seating.

C+M (Coffee and Milk): Located in the Central Court, this spot offers gourmet coffee drinks, baked goods, and savory sandwiches.