Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art
Los Angeles Learn more about what's on at Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art and the artists shaping its programme.The Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art at Pepperdine University showcases modern and contemporary art with a focus on art made in California. Opened to the public in 1992, the museum has presented exhibitions by internationally recognised artists—such as Wayne Thiebaud, Andy Warhol, Larry Bell, and Richard Diebenkorn. Situated on Pepperdine’s Malibu campus, the museum serves both the broader public and the academic community as part of the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts.
Art and Exhibitions
Visitors to the Weisman Museum can expect exhibitions that showcase modern and contemporary art, including paintings, drawings, and sculpture from the museum’s permanent collection. In addition to rotating shows, the museum supports Pepperdine’s academic mission through collection-based displays, artist talks, and public programmes. These activities position the museum as both a teaching resource and a destination for culturally engaged travelers looking for modern and contemporary art on the Malibu coast.
Exhibitions such as A Modern Look: Selections from the Permanent Collection (16 January–29 March 2026) have highlighted paintings, drawings, and sculpture by modern and late modern artists from the early 20th century through the postwar decades, a period in which artists sought to ‘invent new ways of seeing’ in response to a rapidly changing world.
Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art FAQs
What is the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art?
The Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art is a modern and contemporary art museum on the campus of Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, showcasing modern and contemporary art by internationally recognised artists with a focus on art made in California
What exhibitions are on at the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art?
The Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art presents a rotating programme of modern and contemporary art exhibitions, rather than a fixed permanent-collection display. In early 2026, the museum opened A Modern Look: Selections from the Permanent Collection (16 January – 29 March 2026), an exhibition of paintings, drawings, and sculpture by modern and late modern artists from the early 20th century through the postwar decades. Because the Weisman operates on a changing exhibition schedule, visitors should check the museum’s website or the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts listings for the most up-to-date information on current and upcoming shows. You can also follow the institution on Ocula to receive notifications on recommended shows.
Where is the museum located in relation to Los Angeles?
The Weisman Museum sits on Pepperdine University’s Malibu campus along Pacific Coast Highway, northwest of central Los Angeles and within the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Who was Frederick R. Weisman?
Frederick R. Weisman was a Los Angeles–based entrepreneur, art collector, and philanthropist whose support established several institutions bearing his name, including the Weisman Art Foundation in Los Angeles, the Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis, and the Weisman Museum of Art at Pepperdine.
Has the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art been involved in any censorship controversy?
Yes. In October 2025, Pepperdine University administrators ordered the removal of several works from the group exhibition Hold My Hand in Yours at the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art. After artists protested the removals and withdrew their works, the exhibition was closed early. The decision sparked criticism from faculty, students, and arts-advocacy organisations, and received coverage in outlets including the Pepperdine Graphic, the National Coalition Against Censorship, Inside Higher Ed, Artnews, and Hyperallergic; museum director Andrea Gyorody resigned in the wake of the controversy.
Do I need tickets or reservations to visit?
The museum generally offers free admission, but opening hours, holiday schedules, and any special entry requirements are managed by Pepperdine University, so visitors should check the official Pepperdine Arts website for the latest ticketing and access information before planning their visit.
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