The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, also known as LACMA, is one of the most important art museums in Los Angeles and in all of California. It is an encyclopedic institution (meaning it contains exhibitions of various genres and historical periods) and attracts nearly a million visitors annually thanks to its over 10,000 works of art, ranging from prehistoric to contemporary art. In addition to this, LACMA is well-known for its temporary art exhibitions, lectures, screenings, and numerous concerts.

History of the LACMA in Los Angeles

LACMA was founded in 1961, but its roots go back to 1910, at the time of the Los Angeles Museum of History, Science, and Art, established near the University of Southern California. Over the years, the collection has undergone numerous transformations and expansions thanks to the contributions of generous benefactors like Edward W. Carter, Howard F. Ahmanson Sr., Anna Bing Arnold, and Bart Lytton. Thanks to individuals of this caliber, the museum became an independent entity in 1965, when it moved to a new complex on Wilshire Boulevard, designed by the renowned architect William Pereira.

During the 1980s, in the midst of an economic boom, LACMA received further substantial private donations that enabled the construction of the Robert O. Anderson Building, dedicated to 20th-century art. Additionally, the museum opened the Pavilion for Japanese Art and the B. Gerald Cantor Sculpture Garden, further expanding its cultural offerings. In the 1990s, the adjacent park was completely renovated, and the museum acquired the former May Company building, increasing its exhibition space by about 30%.

In 2004, the famous architect Renzo Piano was tasked with the transformation of this great Los Angeles museum, with an ambitious project that saw the opening of the Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM) in 2008 and the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Exhibition Pavilion in 2010. It is worth noting that the renovation project underwent various revisions and setbacks, including the difficult decision to demolish some of the museum's historic buildings to make way for new structures.

Despite the inevitable controversies, LACMA continues to evolve today, with new projects and ongoing renovations that promise to make the museum even more spectacular in the coming years.

The Collections at LACMA in Los Angeles

As a museum that encompasses various historical periods, LACMA's collections are divided among several buildings and cover a wide temporal and geographical span. With over 120,000 objects on display, this immense Los Angeles museum today boasts one of the richest and most diverse collections in the world. Here are more details.

Modern and Contemporary Art

The modern art collection is housed within the Ahmanson Building, and includes works from 1900 to the 1970s; a significant portion of this collection comes from the donation of Janice and Henri Lazarof, who gifted the museum 130 modernist pieces, including works by Picasso, Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky, and Alberto Giacometti.

The contemporary collection, on the other hand, is displayed separately in the Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM), inaugurated in 2008, which houses postmodern works created from 1950 to the present, featuring artists like Jasper Johns, Jeff Koons, and Richard Serra.

American and Latin American Art

The building dedicated to the art of the Americas houses a vast collection of American, Latin American, and even pre-Columbian works (dating back to the time of the Mayans and Aztecs); it includes artists such as Diego Rivera and Rufino Tamayo. The Spanish colonial collection is particularly rich, with works by authors like Miguel Cabrera and José de Ibarra.

Asian Art

The Pavilion for Japanese Art houses an exceptional collection of Japanese art, largely donated by benefactor Joe D. Price. This section also boasts a variety of Chinese and Korean pieces, ranging from ancient ceramics to fascinating Buddhist sculptures. LACMA also features an Indian collection, which includes numerous religious sculptures and paintings.

Greek, Roman, and Etruscan Art

The second floor of the Ahmanson Building houses the galleries of Greek and Roman art, a significant portion of which was donated by William Randolph Hearst. Featuring sculptures and everyday artifacts, these ancient relics offer visitors a comprehensive view of the classical world.

Islamic Art

LACMA's Islamic galleries include 1,700 works; they range from ceramics to metals, glass to inlaid wood, manuscripts to splendid Islamic calligraphy. The collection is particularly rich in Persian and Turkish works, with many pieces dating back to the medieval and Renaissance periods.

Decorative Arts and Design

In addition to all its ancient collections, LACMA displays several pieces of decorative arts and design, including furniture and objects from the renowned Arts and Crafts movement, European garments from the 18th and 19th centuries, and modern and contemporary design pieces. In short, a fascinating look at the evolution of taste and style through the centuries.

Permanent Installations

Among LACMA's most iconic permanent installations is Chris Burden's "Urban Light," a composition made of 202 historic street lamps that illuminate the museum's entrance (located on Wilshire Boulevard). Other notable works include Tony Smith's "Smoke" and Robert Graham's "Retrospective Column."

How to Get to LACMA: The Largest of the Los Angeles Museums

LACMA is located at 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, in the heart of Los Angeles. Here are all the directions to get there, using various modes of transportation.

• By car
Those driving can park at the Pritzker Parking Garage on 6th Street, just east of Fairfax Avenue. The parking garage is open daily from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM and costs $21 (which can be prepaid at payment stations in each city parking lot).

• By public transportation
Two transit lines stop just half a block from this large Los Angeles museum; these are the Metro Local 20 and Rapid 720 along Wilshire Boulevard. Excellent alternatives, depending on your starting point, include the Metro Local 217 and 218 buses, and the Rapid 780 on Fairfax Avenue.

• By bicycle
Those who prefer to get around on two wheels can plan their route to LACMA using LADOT or Metro bike maps. The nearest bike racks are located on Wilshire Boulevard at the intersection with Spaulding Avenue and just inside the 6th Street gate.

Why Visit LACMA

LACMA is much more than just a museum; it is an institution that reflects the cultural diversity and vibrancy of Los Angeles. With its diverse collections and innovative programs, it continues to attract visitors from around the world. Those who find themselves in Los Angeles should not miss a visit to this important institution: an unmissable opportunity to immerse themselves in a world rich in beauty and creativity!