Welcome to our first theme, Los Angeles on a budget: Art & Culture. My first love is art, so starting my guide with art institutions is fitting. I think museums are the best way to spend a few hours. Whether you are an art lover or seeking social media famous spots around Los Angles, this is your list. Plus, museums are respites on a hot day when you do not have air conditioning.
It is amazing how many museums in Los Angeles offer free admission making art more accessible to all!
My criteria:
- The institutions on this list have an entry fee and parking for less than $15 and/or are accessible by public transportation.
- They are also close to restaurants that have budget-friendly options.
Example: I omit places like the Getty and Getty Villa from this list. Although free, parking is over $18 and hard to reach by public transportation. They also have limited and expensive places to eat. Example: If I were to go to the Getty before 3:00 p.m., park, and eat a salad with iced tea, it would cost approximately $45. (Doesn’t fit the criteria.)
Table of Contents
Los Angeles on a Budget: Free Art and Museums
No more having to figure out which days are the free days at these art institutions. They are always FREE! All the spots on this list are organized geographically, not by preference and price. Subscribe to my newsletter to get the Google Map for better exploration.
No. 1: El Segundo Museum of Art (ESMoA)
(Current home: Lawndale)
What is it? “ESMoA is an experimental museum that believes many people, including our visitors, partners, and featured artists, should contribute to the interpretation and creation of art. By challenging what an art space can be, we hope to Reimagine Creativity at large.”
After October 2023, this museum is going on the road to be more accessible to Angelenos.
Cost: $0
When: Open Thursday-Saturday.
[Photo: Rick Carter exhibition at ESMoA]
No. 2: LA Louver
(Venice Beach)
What is it? A contemporary art gallery representing international artists. Many exhibitions feature Los Angeles-based artists like Betye and Alison Saar, Gajin Fujita–who you may recognize from your LAPL card, and more.
Cost: $0
When: Tuesday-Saturday, 10:am-6:PM
As mentioned in: If you are in Venice Beach.
[Photo: Gajin Fujita]
No. 3: Gallery Hop Santa Monica’s Bergamot Station
(Santa Monica)
What is it? Bergamot Station Art Center is a collection of 15+ galleries steps from the Expo Line 26th/Bergamot Station stop. All galleries are conveniently listed on the Bergamot Station website.
Cost: $0
When: The majority of the galleries are open Wednesday-Saturday, 10: am-5:PM. Check the calendar for after-hours openings and events.
As mentioned in: Where to Eat in Bergamot Station.
No. 4: The Wende
(Culver City)
What is it? A museum dedicated to the art of the Cold War. Art includes all mediums. Don’t forget to visit the back patio sculpture garden.
Cost: $0
When: Friday-Sunday 10:am-5:PM
[Photo: Geoff MacCormack, David Bowie in the Soviet Union]
No. 5: Helms Bakery District
(Culver City)
What is it? A constantly rotating gallery venue with artists across genre, medium, and practice.
Cost: $0
Read more about the Helms Bakery District.
Break for a note about gallery hopping.
I want to pause here before listing my next option to see art for $15 or less. There are a few times I mention gallery hopping in this list. Galleries can feel like they only welcome an exclusive group of people who spend thousands of dollars collecting art. Let’s shake off that notion. Galleries are open to everyone. Many galleries use the term “exhibition” for their events, so treat them like a museum.
Galleries can also be more intentional with their programming, bringing you shows that are more current and less monolithic.
No. 6: Gallery Hop Culver City’s Art District
(Culver City)
What is it?
A collection of galleries on the east side of Culver City.
Cost: $0
When: Check the individual gallery website for open hours.
All of the following galleries represent contemporary artists.
- Roth + Taylor
- Hashimoto Contemporary
- Thinkspace Project
- Walter Marciel
- Anat Ebgi (Multiple locations)
No. 7: The Fowler
(Westwood/UCLA)
What is it? A museum that showcases the arts and culture of Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and the Indigenous Americas.
Cost: $0
When: Wednesday- Sunday 12:PM-5:PM
No. 8: The Hammer Museum
(Westwood/UCLA)
What is it? Although the collection and exhibitions lean contemporary at this museum, there is a wide representation of genres and periods.
Cost: $0
When: Tuesday-Sunday, 11:am -6:PM As mentioned in: Several issues of Los Angeles Curated.
Note: You will see this entry also in the entertainment category coming soon.
This Ugly Beautiful City tip
If you are an art lover, I recommend adding a Los Angeles museum as a first or second date. Going to a museum is a) public b) alcohol-free c) a good test of someone’s brain and sense of humor.
No. 9: Weisman Foundation
(Beverly Hills)
What is it? A private contemporary art collection turned foundation/museum.
Cost: $0
When: By appointment
Note: There are a lot of life-sized mannequins in the collection.
No. 10: Gallery Hop Hollywood
(Hollywood)
What is it? There are a lot of galleries in Hollywood to visit.
Cost: $0 When: Check out the individual websites.
Note: The galleries are pretty spread out. Check distances before walking.
- Beyond the Streets–This gallery specializes in graffiti and street art-murals, fashion, and music.
- Fahey Klien Gallery–This gallery specializes in photography.
- Nonaka-Hill–This gallery features artists from Japan. It is hiding in an old dry-cleaner.
- Various Small Fires–This gallery specializes in contemporary art.
- Regen Projects–This gallery specializes in contemporary art.
- Jeffrey Dietch–This gallery specializes in contemporary art. Be careful of the strobing visuals on this page if you are sensitive.
[Photo: Faith Ringgold exhibit Jeffrey Deitch]
No. 11: Griffith Observatory
(Los Feliz)
What is it? A museum of science and astronomy.
Cost: $0
When: Tuesday-Sunday, Tuesday-Friday, 12:PM-10:PM, Saturday-Sunday, 10:am-10:PM.
This park may be a stretch when it comes to public transportation. Around the pandemic, the offered a Griffith Dash shuttle that picks up at the Sunset/Vermont Red Line Station.
Eating in Los Feliz before or after your visit is a cheaper and better alternative to their museum food.
No. 12: Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery (LAMAG)
NEWLY REOPENED!
What is it? A gallery in the Barnsdall Art Park complex that features local artists across all genres and mediums
This gallery is not affiliated with Los Angeles Magazine, also called L.A. Mag.
Cost: $0
When: Wednesdays-Fridays, 11:am-4:PM
No. 13: Luz de Jesus Gallery
(Los Feliz)
What is it? A little pop-art gallery
Cost: $0
When: Whenever Wacko is open.
As mentioned in: Los Feliz Shopping
Note: If you are an artist, they have an annual call for artists.
Sculpture by Joel Hernandez
Want to know what is happening at local art institutions?
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No. 14: Band of Vices
(West Adams)
What is it? A gallery featuring BIPOC artists in the heart of West Adams
Cost: Free
When: Thursdays-Saturdays, noon-5:00.
Other: If you are hungry in the area, I recommend the pita sandwiches from Mizlala.
Number 15: Art + Practice
What is it? “Art + Practice (A+P) is a private operating 501(c)3 foundation based in the neighborhood of Leimert Park in South Los Angeles. A+P supports the local needs of transition-age foster youth, and children experiencing displacement worldwide through its collaborations with nonprofit social service providers First Place for Youth and PILAglobal. A+P also provides Angelenos with free access to museum-curated contemporary art, organized by the California African American Museum.”
Cost? $0
When: Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11:00-5:00
No. 16: California Science Center
(USC)
What is it? A science museum dedicated to science and nature. See the Challenger and mini-ecosystems like tide pools and kelp forests.
Cost: $0. Suggested donation.
When: Daily, 10:am-5:PM.
Note: Access to the permanent collection is free. Temporary exhibits require an additional ticket.
[Photo: Sebastiao Salgado]
No. 17: California African American Museum (CAAM)
(USC)
What is it? The museum’s mission “To research, collect, preserve, and interpret for public enrichment the history, art, and culture of African Americans with an emphasis on California and the western United States.”
Cost: $0
When: Wednesday-Sunday, 10:am-5:PM
No. 18: The Broad
(DTLA)
What is it? A museum dedicated to contemporary art.
Cost: $0. Access to The Broad’s permanent collection is free. This is on the top floor of the museum.
How to get more for free: On the last Wednesday of the month, free tickets for Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Room and tickets to the special exhibit are released. Special exhibitions are free on Thursday after 5:00 p.m. with a reservation.
When: Tuesday-Sunday, with varying hours. Check their website.
[Photo: Balloon Dog, by Jeff Koonz]
Frequently asked Los Angeles Question: How do I pronounce Broad?
It is pronounced. Broh-D, it is the last name of the family foundation. Not broad like a synonym for wide or the old-timey term for a lady.
No. 19: Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA)
(DTLA and Little Tokyo)
What is it? A museum for modern and contemporary art. There are two locations. MoCA on Grand–by the Broad. The second, the MoCa Geffen, is in Little Tokyo.
Cost: $0
When: See the website for the current open hours for both locations. The Geffen can be closed completely due to installation.
Note: Special exhibitions are an additional cost.
No. 20: ASU-FIDM Museum
(DTLA)
What is it? Museum of fashion and costume
Cost: $0
When: Tuesday-Saturday, 10:am-5:PM. Check the website as the museum is closed between exhibitions.
As mentioned in: Academy Awards Itinerary: Award Ceremonies and Costumes.
[Photo: Costumes from the Grand Budapest Hotel, FIDM]
No. 21: Institute of Contemporary Art ICA-LA
(DTLA)
What is it? A museum displaying contemporary art and has free public programming.
Cost: $0
When: Tuesday-Sunday, with varying open hours. It is best to check the website on the day you want to visit. To see the hours and to book a reservation, go here.
No. 22: Hauser & Wirth
(Downtown and West Hollywood)
What is it? An international gallery specializing in Contemporary Art. There are two locations in Los Angeles and have different websites for each. Linked above.
Cost: $0
When: Check the individual sites for current exhibits and hours.
No. 23: Chinese American Museum
(DTLA/Union Station)
What is it? A museum dedicated to the history of the Chinese in America focusing on Los Angeles.
Cost: $0
When: Tuesday-Sunday, 10:am-3:PM
No. 24: Brewery Art Walk
(DTLA)
What is it? An open house of galleries and artist studios in Lincoln Heights.
All galleries and studios are listed on the website.
Cost: $0 When: Takes place quarterly. See the website for dates.
No 25: Gallery 1988
(Glendale)
What is it? A gallery specializing in pop-culture.
Cost: $0
When: Open by appointment.
Note: This gallery is the most approachable for people in regards to cost with some pins and stickers costing $5.
Los Angeles on a Budget: Art, museum, and architecture under $15
These museums and architectural gems fall within the criteria of $15 and under.
No. 26: Museum of Jurassic Technology
(Culver City)
What is it? It is just too hard to explain. I feature the museum in my blog. See the post information below. Cost: $12
When: Thursday/Friday from 2:PM to 8:PM and Saturday/Sunday from noon to 6:PM, as well as by appointment.
As mentioned in: The Museum of Jurassic Technology.
No. 27: Craft Contemporary
(Mid-City)
What is it? A museum dedicated to craft arts.
Cost: $9
When: Tuesday-Sunday, 10:am-5:PM. As mentioned in: Los Angeles Curated.
Note: This is the least expensive museum in Museum Row.
No. 28: Hollyhock House
(Los Feliz)
What is it? A historic home built by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Cost: $7, bookable online.
When: Best to check the website as it varies between Thursday & Friday, plus some Saturdays.
No. 29: Japanese American National Museum (JANM)
(Little Tokyo)
What is it: A museum that chronicles and celebrates the life and work of Japanese Americans.
Cost: With your tap card, you get a $2 discount, bringing your ticket cost to $14.
When: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday-Sunday, 11:am-5:PM, and Thursdays until 7:00. Thursdays is part of the weekly Together Thursdays event.
As mentioned in: Art on the E & Little Tokyo Tour
[note:Photo of JAMN annex, the museum is the modern building across the street.]
No. 30: Norton Simon
(Pasadena)
What is it? This museum focuses on art before the 20th century with an impressive collection of Impressionists and Old Masters.
Cost: $15
When: Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Hours vary on the other days. Check the website for hours.
I hope this list, Los Angeles on a Budget: Art & Culture, helps you find inexpensive things to do.
Want to know what exhibitions are happening in Los Angeles?
Use Exh.Cat and search “Los Angeles.” This will give you a list of all of the special exhibits happening across the city and help you discover new museums. This is a project of one of my paid subscribers. I use it all the time.
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