You’ve seen the posts. Honestly, if you live in Southern California or follow anyone who does, your feed has probably been buried under photos of those iconic white street lamps. Urban Light is basically the unofficial mascot of the city at this point. But here’s the thing: the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is currently a giant, expensive, and somewhat controversial construction site.
It's messy. It’s loud. And yet, it remains the heavy hitter of the West Coast art world.
If you’re planning a visit to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, you might be confused about what’s actually open. People show up expecting a traditional museum experience and get hit with a "Work in Progress" sign. It's a bit of a shocker. LACMA is currently in the middle of a massive $750 million transformation, headlined by the David Chipperfield-designed Peter Zumthor building. This new structure, the David Geffen Galleries, is literally spanning over Wilshire Boulevard. It’s bold. Some call it a masterpiece; others think it looks like a giant concrete pancake.
But don't let the cranes scare you off.
The Reality of LACMA Right Now
Let’s be real: the "old" LACMA is gone. Most of the original buildings on the east side of the campus were demolished to make way for the future. This caused a huge stir in the local community. Critics like Christopher Knight from the LA Times have been pretty vocal about the shrinking square footage. It’s a valid concern. Why spend nearly a billion dollars to end up with less gallery space?
The museum’s director, Michael Govan, argues that the horizontal design is about "democratizing" art. He wants to move away from the "temple on a hill" vibe. Instead of hidden backrooms and hierarchical wings, the new Los Angeles County Museum of Art aims for transparency. Glass walls everywhere. You see the art; you see the city. It’s very... LA.
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Despite the dust, the BCAM (Broad Contemporary Art Museum) and the Resnick Pavilion are still fully operational. These are the modern, saw-tooth roof buildings designed by Renzo Piano. They house the heavy hitters. You’re talking Richard Serra’s massive steel spirals—Band is a personal favorite—and rotating exhibitions that usually lean into the cutting-edge or the deeply historical.
What You Can Actually See Today
If you go tomorrow, what’s the play? You start at the Chris Burden lamps. Obviously.
But don't just stand there for a selfie. Walk through them. It’s meant to be an immersive sculpture, not just a backdrop. From there, head toward the Levitated Mass. This is the 340-ton granite boulder perched over a concrete trench. It took months to move this rock from a quarry in Riverside. It’s absurd. It’s heavy. It makes you feel incredibly small. Kids love running under it; adults usually stand there wondering how the engineering holds up.
Inside the Resnick and BCAM, the programming is remarkably diverse. One month you might find a deep dive into 17th-century Spanish colonial art, and the next, a retrospective on a 1970s punk photographer. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art has always been a bit of a chameleon. Unlike the Getty, which feels very European and "old world," LACMA feels like the city it inhabits: sprawling, eclectic, and a little bit chaotic.
The permanent collection is massive—over 150,000 objects. Since they can't show it all right now, they’ve been getting creative. They’ve been shipping pieces to satellite locations and focusing on high-impact temporary shows. It’s a "lean" version of a world-class institution.
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Why Everyone Argues About the Architecture
Architecture in LA is a blood sport.
When the plans for the new building were released, the "Zumthor Inkblot" became a meme. The bridge over Wilshire is the most polarizing part. Some see it as a bridge between the north and south sides of the city. Others see it as a massive waste of airspace that creates a dark tunnel for drivers.
Regardless of where you land on the aesthetics, the engineering is wild. Supporting a museum over one of the busiest streets in America isn't exactly a weekend DIY project. They had to account for seismic activity—because, California—and the weight of thousands of tons of concrete.
What's fascinating is how the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is positioning itself for the 2028 Olympics. They are racing to finish. The goal is to be the cultural hub when the world’s eyes are on Los Angeles. This isn't just about art; it’s about civic branding.
Navigating the Logistics (The Non-Boring Version)
Parking is the bane of everyone’s existence in Mid-Wilshire. Pro tip: Don't just default to the Pritzker Parking Garage on 6th Street if you're trying to save a buck. It’s convenient, sure, but it fills up fast and costs a pretty penny. There’s metered street parking on 6th and 8th, but check the signs. LA parking enforcement is legendary for their speed and ruthlessness.
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- Tickets: You need to book online. Gone are the days of just wandering up to a window.
- LA County Residents: You get in free after 3:00 PM on weekdays. This is a huge perk. Bring your ID.
- Food: Ray’s and Stark Bar is actually good. It’s not just "museum food." The pizza is legit. But if you’re on a budget, the food trucks parked along Wilshire are a staple of the experience. Grab a bacon-wrapped hot dog and sit in the park.
The Art You Shouldn't Skip
People flock to the "Instagrammable" spots, but the real soul of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is in its deep archives. Their Japanese Art Pavilion (designed by Bruce Goff) is a work of art itself. Its organic, curved walls were inspired by the way scrolls are unrolled. It’s currently undergoing some TLC, but when it’s accessible, it’s the most peaceful spot in the city.
The Latin American collection is also world-class. Given LA’s demographics and history, this feels like the heart of the museum. They don't just show the "greats" like Rivera or Kahlo; they dig into contemporary voices from across the diaspora.
Then there’s the film program. LACMA has a long history with cinema. They host screenings that you can’t find on Netflix—rare 35mm prints, Q&As with directors, and experimental shorts. For a city built on the movie business, this feels essential. It’s a crime more people don't take advantage of it.
Is it worth the trip during construction?
Yes. But with caveats.
If you want a traditional, eight-hour "Louvre-style" marathon where you see everything from Egyptian mummies to Impressionist masters in one go, you might be disappointed. LACMA is currently a "specialized" experience. You go for the two or three big exhibitions that are currently live. You go for the outdoor sculptures. You go for the vibe of the Miracle Mile.
It’s also right next to the La Brea Tar Pits. You can literally walk from a multimillion-dollar contemporary art gallery to a bubbling pit of asphalt where mammoths died. That contrast is peak Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is evolving. It’s in its "awkward teenager" phase right now—growing too fast, changing its look, and spending too much money. But it remains the most important cultural anchor in the city. It’s where LA talks to itself through objects.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
- Check the Exhibition Calendar: Before you drive out, look at the LACMA website for "Current Exhibitions." Since half the museum is under construction, the rotating shows are the main event. If there isn't a specific show that grabs you, maybe wait a month.
- Combine with the Academy Museum: The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is right next door. If you’re paying for parking anyway, do both. It’s a movie lover’s dream and complements the art experience perfectly.
- Golden Hour is Key: If you want those Urban Light photos without 50 strangers in the background, go on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening. The lights stay on 24/7, but the crowds thin out significantly after dinner.
- Use the Metro: If you can, take the bus or wait for the D Line extension to finish. Wilshire is a nightmare during rush hour.
- Membership Hack: If you plan on going more than twice a year, just get the membership. It pays for itself, gives you "member-only" preview hours, and—most importantly—supports the museum during this expensive transition.