Los Angeles is a city that captivates guests with its rich artistry and inspiring surroundings, including many museums to explore. These museums are home to some of the world’s most renowned collections while displaying some of the city’s most masterful architecture. One of those museums is the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), also known to be the largest art museum in the western United States. Come and discover an expanse of diverse art forms for a creative stay in DTLA, paired with the tastefully designed accommodations at Hotel Figueroa.
In March of 1965, LACMA opened the doors to its first building, showcasing a modern classicist style in its architecture. Over the years, LACMA has introduced many LA locals and visitors to myriad art forms that have expanded the city’s artistic horizons, all within its collection of buildings. Even then, there’s always been a need to expand the museum’s physical space, leading to a series of expansions that can be seen in the museum’s historical timeline.
Today, LACMA is undergoing its newest expansion and renovation, the David Geffen Galleries, designed by award-winning architect, Peter Zumthor. The David Geffen Galleries will house LACMA’s permanent collection and feature a museum shop, three dining venues, a new theater, event spaces, and more. According to LACMA, “By the time the new building opens, we will have expanded our total gallery space from approximately 130,000 in 2007 to 220,000 square feet.” For those planning a visit, you can expect to experience LACMA’s historic legacy, in a modern and revitalized building space.
LACMA is a treasure trove of unique artistic pieces. Presenting nearly 152,000 objects of art to visitors, these artistic works represent over 6,000 years of history and the evolution of many art forms. As Los Angeles celebrates the intersection of different cultures, creative expressions, and emergent technologies, LACMA aims to parallel the city’s heart for art through its permanent collection and exhibitions.
The LACMA permanent collection has a diversity of mediums to explore, as seen in the Greek Ceramics, Portraits, Fashion, 1900-2000, and SoCal Design collections among others. Apart from these permanently housed works, you can also discover temporary exhibitions at the museum, enjoying one-of-a-kind collections from global artists. Noteworthy exhibitions that will be featured in 2024 include Korean Treasures, Simone Leigh, and ED RUSCHA / NOW THEN. For a look at past, current, and upcoming exhibitions, check out LACMA’s exhibition guide.
Enhancing your overall visit to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is easy with the many on-site amenities available. If you crave a bite to eat or need a caffeinated pick-me-up throughout your visit, consider dining on-site. LACMA dining offers anything from California-inspired cuisine to LA street fare so you can satisfy your palate at all times.
For those interested in taking a private tour, LACMA offers tours for corporations or members looking to host a tour. Other tours and weekly programming can be explored on LACMA’s event calendar. Join in on exclusive art events, conversations, and curated tours. If you can’t wait for your visit, take a look at the LACMA @ Home resources, where you can find short films, online lectures, articles, and more from the comfort of your home.
Centrally located in Los Angeles, LACMA can be found at 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036. Once you arrive, the museum has options for self-parking, accessible parking, electric vehicle charging, and member parking passes for LACMA members. All parking information can be found on LACMA’s parking page.
As for LACMA ticketing, advance tickets are highly recommended as timeslots do sell out. Tickets can be purchased online, in-person at the box office, or by calling 323-857-6010, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. LACMA recommends arriving 10-15 minutes before your scheduled entry to avoid any delays.
Ready to welcome you into a world of inspiration, discovery, and creativity is LACMA and its newly reimagined spaces, set to launch its newest addition in the later months of 2024. So whether you’re looking to kickstart your year with a dose of artistic exploration or need a revitalizing trip to LA mid-year, we can’t wait to welcome you to our boutique hotel space at Hotel Figueroa. There’s no hotel near LACMA that’s quite as artistic and all the more captivating
