The Broad Museum in Los Angeles

Without a doubt, Los Angeles is one of the most fascinating cities in the United States, not just for its beaches, boulevards, and iconic Hollywood hills, but also for its museums. Among them, The Broad stands out—a contemporary art museum that has distinguished itself with its collection of works dating from the 1950s to today, as well as its innovative architecture. Located in the heart of the city, it’s one of the most important museums in Los Angeles. It’s not just a major tourist destination, but also a reference point for anyone wanting to fully immerse themselves in contemporary art.

The History of The Broad

The story of The Broad begins with the initiative of philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad, passionate collectors of contemporary art. By 2008, the couple was already considering different locations to house their vast art collection, including sites in Beverly Hills, West Los Angeles College, and Santa Monica, each with its own advantages and challenges. However, it wasn’t until August 2010 that Eli Broad officially announced the plan to build the museum in downtown Los Angeles.

The agreement included a 99-year lease at a cost of $7.7 million, also contributing to the development of affordable housing units in the nearby Emerson building. Additionally, the local government contributed to the project costs, investing $8.5 million for the museum’s exterior plaza and up to $30 million for the underground parking, which will eventually be publicly owned.

For the building’s design, a 2010 architectural competition saw entries from world-renowned architects, including Rem Koolhaas and Herzog & de Meuron. However, the final choice fell to New York architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro, who conceived a 120,000-square-foot structure designed to house both exhibitions and the museum's administrative offices.

In February 2015, Eli and Edythe Broad hosted a public preview of the museum, attracting a crowd of 3,500 visitors. The museum officially opened its doors on September 20, 2015, with an inauguration ceremony attended by celebrities like Bill Clinton, Reese Witherspoon, and Matthew Perry. Since then, The Broad has become one of the most visited museums in Los Angeles, attracting over 900,000 people from all over the world each year.

The Structure and Architecture of The Broad Museum in Los Angeles

One of The Broad’s most distinctive features is its futuristic architecture, designed by the aforementioned Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with Gensler. The total cost of the building was estimated at around $140 million, reflecting the quality and complexity of the project! Situated next to Frank Gehry’s iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall, the museum was designed to create a sharp contrast with the metallic, perforated architecture of the concert hall, with a porous, honeycomb-like facade.

Noteworthy is the architectural concept behind the building’s design, known as “the veil and the vault.” The veil, a porous exterior, wraps around the entire structure, filtering and transmitting natural light into the interior spaces. This shell consists of 2,500 rhomboid concrete panels reinforced with fiberglass, supported by a 650-ton steel substructure. At the center of the building, the vault represents a concrete core that houses storage areas, labs, curatorial spaces, and offices.

The museum spans three floors, with an exhibition area of about 50,000 square feet spread over two levels. The third floor, with its 35,000 square feet, is a column-free exhibition space, perfect for installing large-scale artworks. The building’s roof features 318 skylights, allowing diffuse natural light to enter, creating a unique visual effect inside the galleries.

But that’s not all. The interior of the museum is equally innovative. In the lobby, there’s no traditional reception desk; instead, museum staff welcome visitors with mobile devices, providing a modern and interactive experience. Additionally, an impressive 105-foot escalator connects the various museum levels, allowing a continuous flow of visitors through the different exhibition areas.

The Broad’s Collection

The permanent collection at The Broad is the museum’s lifeblood, with nearly 2,000 works of art spanning from the 1950s to today. Eli and Edythe Broad began collecting contemporary art over 50 years ago with the aim of acquiring works as they were being created, helping to build one of the most comprehensive and representative post-war collections.

Among the artists featured in the collection are some of the most important names in contemporary art, including Cindy Sherman, Jeff Koons, Ed Ruscha, Roy Lichtenstein, and Andy Warhol. One of the collection’s most iconic pieces is Warhol’s famous “Single Elvis,” a 1963 artwork that significantly boosted the value of pop art.

Among the installations most beloved by visitors is the Infinity Mirrored Room – The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away (2013) by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama (an immersive room that offers a unique sensory experience through mirrors and LED lights). Other notable works include Ragnar Kjartansson’s nine-screen video “The Visitors” (2012), Julie Mehretu’s monumental 24-foot painting “Beloved (Cairo)” (2013), and Goshka Macuga’s phototapestry “Death of Marxism, Women of All Lands Unite” (2013).

Additionally, The Broad holds the world’s largest collection of works by Cindy Sherman, with 129 pieces documenting the gradual evolution of the artist’s career. Although some reviews have criticized the collection for including pieces seen as “low-level luxury art,” there are undoubtedly masterpieces that continue to astonish and captivate visitors.

The Future of The Broad in Los Angeles

The future of The Broad promises to be just as innovative as its past. Located on Hope Street, the new exhibition space and upcoming programs will offer visitors even more access to works by world-renowned artists such as Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jeff Koons, and Kara Walker, along with new acquisitions from emerging artists like Cauleen Smith, Lauren Halsey, and Patrick Martinez.

Another highly anticipated addition is the creation of rooftop outdoor courtyards, as well as flexible spaces for live performances and concerts, allowing visitors to experience art in new and interactive ways. The museum will remain open during the expansion work, ensuring free access to the public, and the new structure is set to be unveiled in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

How to Get to The Broad

The museum is located at 221 S Grand Avenue, Los Angeles. Here’s how to reach it.

By car:

• From the north: Take US-101 S toward Los Angeles, and then exit 3B for Grand Avenue. Continue on Grand Ave to reach the museum.
• From the south: Head toward I-5 N to Los Angeles and take exit 137A for CA110 N toward Pasadena, then exit 23B for 4th St. Continue on 4th St and then Grand Ave to arrive at the museum.
• From the east: Take I-10 W toward Los Angeles, exiting at 13 for CA-110 N toward Pasadena. Then, take exit 23B for 4th Street. Continue on 4th St and then Grand Ave to reach the museum.
• From the west: Take I-10 E toward Los Angeles, exit at 13 for CA-110 N toward Pasadena, and then exit 23B for 4th Street. Follow 4th Street and then Grand Avenue to arrive at the museum.

By public transportation:

• Metro: The A and E Metro lines serve the nearest stop, Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill Station. From there, cross the bridge on Hope Street to access the museum directly via the East West Bank Plaza.
• Bus: The nearest stops are 1st & Grand and Grand/3rd.
• Metro Red Line: The closest stop is Civic Center/Grand Park Station. From there, The Broad is just a short walk away.

The Broad truly represents a must-visit stop for anyone visiting Los Angeles, offering a unique window into contemporary art and constantly redefining the role of Los Angeles museums on the global cultural stage. With its ever-expanding collection and increasingly innovative programs, the museum’s future looks bright, full of opportunities for artists and art lovers alike!