The Broad
Los Angeles Learn more about what's on at The Broad and the artists shaping its programme.Overview
The Broad, in downtown Los Angeles, United States, is a contemporary art museum founded by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad to share their collection of postwar and contemporary art with the public. Opened in 2015 on Grand Avenue, opposite Walt Disney Concert Hall, the museum is known for its distinctive ‘veil-and-vault’ building by Diller Scofidio + Renfro. Home to more than 2,000 works, the Broad collection has become one of the most prominent holdings of post-1960 art worldwide, making the museum a key cultural anchor in Los Angeles and a major destination for international visitors.
Art and Exhibitions
The Broad’s collection focuses on postwar and contemporary art from the 1960s to the present, with strengths in Pop, conceptual art, and large-scale installation. Visitors encounter works by artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Barbara Kruger, Yayoi Kusama, Takashi Murakami, Julie Mehretu, and Jasper Johns, among many others. The museum presents long-term installations drawn from the collection—often organised around key artists or themes—alongside rotating special exhibitions that range from in-depth monographic shows to surveys of major movements in contemporary art.
Architecture is integral to the experience: the honeycombed exterior ‘veil’ wraps around a central ‘vault’ that houses the collection and creates naturally lit, column-free galleries on the top floor. Highlights for many visitors include Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room—The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away (2013), a mirror-lined environment animated by thousands of LED lights, and Longing for Eternity (2017), a compact, multi-sided chamber that offers shifting views into an apparently infinite space. Together, the collection, temporary exhibitions, and building design position The Broad as both an introduction to global contemporary art and a platform for landmark presentations in Los Angeles.
Visiting Information
The Broad offers free general admission tickets, which provide access to its collection galleries; some special exhibitions and events carry separate ticket charges. Timed reservations are strongly recommended and can be booked online, though a limited number of same-day walk-up tickets are released on site. Located on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles, the museum sits within a cluster of major cultural venues, including Walt Disney Concert Hall and MOCA, and is easily combined with other museums, performances, and restaurants in the neighbourhood.
The Broad FAQs
What is The Broad?
The Broad is a contemporary art museum on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles, housing and exhibiting the Broad collection of more than 2,000 works of postwar and contemporary art. Founded by Eli and Edythe Broad, the museum offers free general admission to its main galleries and presents an active programme of rotating exhibitions and public events.
Who are Eli and Edythe Broad?
Through The Broad Foundation and The Broad Art Foundation, Eli and Edythe Broad have committed billions of dollars to arts and culture, including the creation of The Broad in Los Angeles and the earlier Broad Contemporary Art Museum building at LACMA. Their foundations have loaned works from the Broad collection thousands of times to museums worldwide and have helped establish major institutions such as The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University, making them among the most influential arts philanthropists of their generation.
What kind of art can I see at The Broad?
At The Broad visitors can expect post-1960 art in a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, photography, and large-scale installation. The collection features major works by artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Barbara Kruger, Yayoi Kusama, Takashi Murakami, Julie Mehretu, and Jasper Johns, alongside changing special exhibitions that spotlight particular artists, themes, or movements in contemporary art.
How much does it cost to visit The Broad?
General admission to The Broad is free and includes access to the main collection galleries on the third floor. Some special exhibitions, for example, Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room, and select events may require separate, paid tickets, which are clearly indicated when booking.
Do I need tickets or reservations for The Broad?
Yes. While admission is free, The Broad uses timed tickets to manage capacity, and advance online reservations are recommended, especially on weekends and holidays. A limited number of same-day tickets are available for walk-up visitors, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Why is The Broad considered an important museum in Los Angeles?
The Broad is significant for combining a world-class collection of postwar and contemporary art with free general admission and a landmark building in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Its accessible ticketing model, high-profile exhibitions, and proximity to other Grand Avenue institutions have helped reshape the area into a major cultural corridor, drawing millions of visitors since the museum opened in 2015.
Artworks by Broad Artists
More Los Angeles Museums and Galleries
A respected voice in contemporary art discourse.
Focusing on ambitious storytelling and insightful art-world commentary. Ocula Magazine publishes in-depth interviews, critical essays and timely analysis on the artists, exhibitions and ideas driving the global art world.
Learn more about Ocula Magazine
Showcasing the best of the art world.
Ocula partners with galleries from around the world to highlight their artists, artworks and exhibitions. Gallery membership is by application and invitation, with each member vetted by an independent panel.
Learn more about Ocula Membership
Specialises in the sale of major artworks.
Led by a team with deep ties to the world’s leading auction houses, galleries and collectors. Ocula’s advisory team offers bespoke services to high-net-worth clients from around the world who are looking to acquire the best of contemporary and modern art.
Learn more about our team and services