Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Los Angeles Learn more about what's on at LACMA and the artists shaping its programme.Founded in 1965, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is a cornerstone of cultural life in California and the largest art museum in the western United States, with a collection of more than 150,000 objects spanning ancient to contemporary art. Reflecting the city’s diverse communities, LACMA has developed particular strengths in Asian art, Latin American art—from pre-Columbian works to modern and contemporary practice—and Islamic art, alongside significant holdings in European and American art, photography, film and media, decorative arts, and design. Together, these collections position LACMA as a key destination for visitors seeking major art museums in Los Angeles.
Located in Hancock Park on Wilshire Boulevard’s Museum Row, between downtown Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean, LACMA occupies a campus of over 20 acres. Its outdoor environment is home to widely recognised public artworks, including Chris Burden’s Urban Light (2008) and Michael Heizer’s Levitated Mass (2012), which have become landmarks of Los Angeles public art and among the most photographed sights in the city.
As a museum of international stature and a vital civic institution, LACMA welcomes more than a million visitors each year to its exhibitions, screenings, lectures, and community programmes. The museum also extends its reach through touring exhibitions, artist collaborations, and education initiatives, supported by a robust digital presence that includes an extensive online collection, scholarly catalogues, and interactive resources on lacma.org, making global art histories accessible well beyond its physical campus.
Since 2006, Michael Govan has served as CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director of LACMA. During his tenure, the museum has pursued a major campus redesign, including the new David Geffen Galleries designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, a cross-disciplinary building intended to reshape how an encyclopedic art museum presents its collection for 21st-century audiences.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art FAQs
What does LACMA stand for?
LACMA stands for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the largest art museum in the western United States.
Where is LACMA located?
LACMA is located at 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90036, in Hancock Park on Museum Row, near the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. The museum sits within a dense cultural corridor that also includes Craft Contemporary and the Petersen Automotive Museum along Wilshire Boulevard.
When was LACMA founded?
LACMA was established as an independent art museum in 1965, having previously been part of the Los Angeles Museum of History, Science and Art.
What is LACMA known for?
LACMA is known for its encyclopedic collection spanning ancient to contemporary art, with notable strengths in Latin American, Asian, and Islamic art, and for iconic public works such as Chris Burden’s Urban Light (2008) and Michael Heizer’s Levitated Mass (2012).
How large is LACMA’s collection?
LACMA’s collection comprises more than 150,000 works of art, representing cultures from across the globe and covering thousands of years of art history.
Who is the director of LACMA?
Michael Govan is LACMA’s CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director, a role he has held since 2006.
What are must-see artworks at LACMA?
Visitors frequently seek out Chris Burden’s Urban Light, Michael Heizer’s Levitated Mass, and key works by artists such as Diego Rivera, Yayoi Kusama, Pablo Picasso, and Henri Matisse, alongside rotating exhibitions of modern and contemporary art.
Is LACMA free to visit?
LACMA offers free admission for Los Angeles County residents on select days and times, as well as free or discounted entry for members, children, and other groups. Visitors should check the museum’s website for current ticketing and opening hours.
Artworks by LACMA Artists
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