The Top 10 Places for Art Lovers to visit in LA

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The Top 10 Places for Art Lovers to visit in LA

1. LACMA

The LACMA’s 150,000+ piece collection is guaranteed to have something for everyone. Exhibits display art spanning every continent, style and medium. Art history nerds will enjoy work by artists like Monet and there are many outdoor pieces that are perfect Instagram-worthy spots.

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2. The Getty Center

Perched high on the Santa Monica Mountains, The Getty Center’s massive campus is an experience in itself. Visitors arrive at the bottom of the hill and are transported to the museum on a tram. The first piece of art visitors are greeted with is the Getty Center itself, who’s large buildings and beautiful gardens were designed by Richard Meier and Robert Irwin. After making your way through the museum, make sure to stop by the southern balcony, which has one of the best view of Los Angeles.

3. MOCA Grand Avenue

The Museum of Contemporary Art’s main branch on Grand Avenue is just down the street from Walt Disney Concert Hall. It is the largest museum in Los Angeles dedicated exclusively to contemporary art. Although not as big as the LACMA or Getty Center, it still contains more than 5,000 pieces of art including paintings by Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, and Mark Rothko. Plus, entrance is free on Thursdays from 5-8pm.

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4. The Broad

As the newest museum on the scene, The Broad has been drawing long lines. Make sure to reserve tickets to avoid waiting. Opened in 2015, the museum now houses the Infinity Mirror Room among 2,000 other stunning contemporary art pieces.

5. Hammer Museum

If you’re looking for the next big thing in art this is the place to find it. The Hammer Museum, which is affiliated with UCLA, is known for exhibits featuring the emerging artists and older but lesser-known art. The collections are smaller, but admission to the museum and to special programs are always free. Beyond art, the museum has two ping-pong tables and a courtyard full of rolling chairs that tend to be big crowd pleasers.

6. Getty Villa

Situated on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Getty Villa offers a beautiful venue for viewing artifacts dating from 6,500 BC to AD 400. Art primarily features 3-dimensional art, such as sculptures and pottery, rather than two-dimensional paintings or drawings. The villa itself is modeled after a Roman country house, with large, elegant courtyards and historically accurate gardens.

7. Downtown Art Walk

The second Thursday of every month the galleries of Downtown Los Angeles keep their doors open late for the Downtown Art Walk. It’s a great way to experience Los Angele’s creative culture through its diverse collection of galleries, vendors and outdoor murals. A variety of live music, performances and food trucks also show up for the occasion. If  you’re looking for a way to connect with the local art community there’s no better place.

8. The Great Wall of LA

Los Angeles is home to many great murals, but this one is special in both its size and content. Although it’s official title is The History of California, it’s better known as The Great Wall of Los Angeles. At 13 ft. high and 2754 ft. long it is one of the longest murals in the world, and took more than 400 artists to complete. As the mural progresses, it details the history of California with a focus on minorities. According to the mural’s designer, Judith Baca, “It’s not just history, it’s really about relationships – about connecting.”

9. Art District

The Art District in Downtown LA is ideal for those interested in street art. Although nearly every part of Los Angeles has its fair share of murals, the Art District is a hot spot. The area boasts a large number of murals by greats like Shepard Fairey and Banksy.

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10. Revolver Gallery

For an exclusively Warhol experience Revolver Gallery in the heart of Beverly Hills is the place to go. It has largest gallery-owned collection of Warhol art and knowledgeable staff that can give the history of nearly any piece. The art on display is constantly changing, so be sure to visit often.