Culture

A Guide to Museums & Galleries Reopening in L.A.

June 24, 2020 by Juliet Bennett Rylah
Artyukh Igor/Flickr

[UPDATE, July 1] Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered several businesses in 19 counties, including Los Angeles County, to close indoor operations for at least 3 weeks due to surging COVID-19 numbers. The closure applies to museums and zoos. More info here.

Los Angeles County museums were allowed to reopen, with modifications, on June 12. While some have taken advantage, others are delaying their reopening to ensure the safety of staff and visitors. Here’s a list of what’s open and what’s not, which we’ll update as things change. (And if you work with a gallery or museum, feel free to share your updates with us at [email protected].) [Last update: June 30]

Advertisements

18th Street Arts Center (Santa Monica)

The 18th Street Arts Center will open on June 20. Hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment. Exhibits include Las Hijas de Los Dias and DRAWING CONNECTIONS, both extended through August 7. Visitors must register when they arrive and wear their face coverings at all times. If you’re a senior or have an underlying health condition that makes you especially vulnerable to COVID-19, you may email [email protected] to ask about making a special appointment. 

A+D Museum (DTLA) 

The A+D Architecture and Design Museum is restructuring to include both digital and physical exhibitions. A new digital platform will launch on July 1. 

Via a statement:
“We are thrilled to evolve, to become a more dynamic expression of our mission and our supporters’ needs. By transitioning to a hybridized platform structure, we release ourselves from a solitary physical presence and embrace a more expansive prescience, a long discussed goal of our Beyond Wall Strategic Planning Committee. We will continue to provide exploratory programming through digital platforms and short-term community-driven physical exhibitions and events as a means of reaching a wider, increasingly inclusive audience.”

African American Firefighter Museum (DTLA)

According to the museum, it will remain closed until later this summer. Staff is currently implementing the required health and safety protocol. You can check out a virtual tour now here.

American Museum of Ceramic Art

Starting on July 9, museum members and Pomona residents can get free, timed tickets through the rest of July. AMOCA will reopen to the general public on August 6.

The Autry (Griffith Park)

The Autry and the Southwest Museum in Northeast L.A. both remain closed. The museum said it will announce its reopening date on its website and social channels. 

The Broad (DTLA)

The Broad is currently closed but also has plenty of online offerings to check out at home. 

California African American Museum (Expo Park)

CAAM is currently closed as staff implements health and safety protocols. Check its website for reopening updates and online programming.

California Science Center (Expo Park)

The Science Center remains closed. Check its website for reopening updates and online programming.

Frida Kahlo: Through the Lens of Nikolas Muray, on view through Sept. 20.

Catalina Island Museum (Catalina Island)

CIM has reopened. Hours are Weds.-Sun., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guests are encouraged to buy tickets in advance online. Current exhibits include Frida Kahlo: Through the Lens of Nickolas Muray, on view through September 27, 2020.

Chinese American Museum (DTLA)

The Chinese American Museum is closed, but you can see its virtual offerings and events on Facebook.

Craft Contemporary (Mid-Wilshire)

Craft Contemporary is closed to the public until further notice. Check out its online offerings here.

Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising Museum (DTLA)

The FIDM Museum & Galleries are currently closed. Check the website for updates and online collections.

Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)

All memorial parks and mortuaries are open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors must wear a mask at all times. The Forest Lawn Museum, Hall of Crucifixion-Resurrection, The Great Mausoleum, and the Hall of Liberty are currently closed.

Fowler Museum (Westwood)

All galleries are currently closed, though you can view online offerings and updates on the museum’s website.

Getty Center (Brentwood)

The Getty Center and Getty Villa are currently closed to the public, but plan to announce a reopening date for later this summer. Updates are available here.

Griffith Observatory (Griffith Park)

The Observatory remains closed until further notice, However, nearby trails and the Observatory grounds are open. Visitors should practice social distancing and wear face coverings when near others.

The Hammer Museum (Westwood)

The Hammer Museum is currently closed, but there are many online offerings on its website.

Hauser & Wirth (DTLA): Art museum Hauser & Wirth’s Los Angeles location reopens on July 1. If you missed your chance to see the Lucio Fontana and August Sander exhibits back in February, both will be on view in July. The museum will also feature a new presentation of artist Ed Clark’s early work in August. The museum’s restaurant, Manuela, will reopen for dine-in service on July 7. To visit, you’ll have to register for an appointment in advance here.

Heritage Square Museum (Montecito Heights)

This living history museum is open on the weekends for self-guided walking tours. Guests can stroll the grounds and gardens while taking in the exterior of the historic homes and buildings. Reserve a ticket here.

Hollywood Bowl Museum (Hollywood)

The Hollywood Bowl Museum is currently closed and the Hollywood Bowl has canceled its summer season. You can, however, get Hollywood Bowl meals for pickup

Hollywood Heritage Museum (Hollywood) 

The Hollywood Heritage Museum is closed until further notice, but they do have some virtual events coming up. Check the website for details.

Huntington Library
Japanese Garden at the Huntington Library. Photo by Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.

The Huntington (San Marino)

The Huntington’s library and art museum are closed, but the gardens reopen to the public on July 1. Hours are daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You’ll need to reserve a ticket in advance online. Tickets are released three days in advance and cost $25 (weekday) to $29 (weekend) for adults, $21 (weekday) to $24 (weekend) for seniors and students, $13 for children 4–11, and free for kids under 4. There will also be two free days in July.  More information.

Advertisements

Italian American Museum of Los Angeles (DTLA)

IAMLA plans to make its reopening announcement soon. When the museum reopens, visitors will be required to wear masks at all times. Reservations will be encouraged, and IAMLA staff will only be available by appointment. For updates and online programming, check out IAMLA’s website.

Japanese American National Museum (DTLA)

JANM is closed until further notice. Find updates and online programming on its website.

Korean Cultural Center (Koreatown)

The Korean Cultural Center is currently closed on Saturdays. Some areas are closed on weekdays, including the library on the first floor. For virtual events, check the center’s website. Select the “Notice!” Banner for current COVID-19 info.

La Brea Tar Pits & Museum (Mid-Wilshire)

The La Brea Tar Pits and Page Museum plans to reopen its galleries later this summer. You can sign up for the museum’s mailing list for updates.

LACMA (Mid-Wilshire) 

LACMA has not yet reopened to the public, though there’s plenty of online content on its website and social media pages.

Via statement: While LACMA remains temporarily closed to the public, we are actively reviewing the possibility of extending exhibitions that are affected by the museum’s temporary closure. We are excited that the County of L.A. has allowed the reopening of museums, zoos, galleries, and aquariums. We are hard at work getting ready to welcome the public back to LACMA and provide a safe environment for visitors and staff. We will be sharing details about our reopening date as well as new visit procedures as soon as possible.

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes (DTLA) 

The museum’s leadership team is currently developing and implementing health protocols and will announce its reopening date in the future, possibly as early as July 2020. For now, you can check the website for virtual offerings and updates.

Los Angeles Municipal Arts Gallery (East Hollywood) 

LAMAG is currently closed, as well as all galleries, theaters, and other sites operated by the Department of Cultural Affairs. See updates and online offerings here.

Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust (Fairfax)

LAMOTH is closed, but you can check out virtual Museum@Home offerings on the museum’s website.

L.A. Zoo (Griffith Park)

The Zoo hopes to reopen in July. For updates, follow the Los Angeles Zoo on social media @lazoo and check the website.

Advertisements

MOCA (DTLA)

MOCA has not yet reopened to the public.

Via a statement: The health and safety of our staff and visitors is our top priority. We are closely monitoring all protocols and guidelines issued by state and local government agencies that will determine how and when MOCA can open safely. You can continue to check MOCA’s website or follow us on social media for updates.

Natural History Museum Los Angeles (Expo Park)

Like the Tar Pits, NHMLA plans to reopen later this summer. For the time being, there are plenty of online offerings online via NHMLA Connect.

Nethercutt Museum 

The Nethercutt is currently closed, but you can check out online galleries of historic vehicles on its website.

Imag: Tesla

Petersen Automotive Museum (Mid-Wilshire)

The Petersen reopened to the public on June 19 with new hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Petersen’s on-site restaurant, Drago, is open for dine-in service those same hours. Through July 5, you can see the Tesla Cybertruck in the museum’s lobby.

You must purchase tickets in advance online and wear a mask throughout your visit. Some interactive exhibits, including the Forza racing simulators and the Discovery Center, are currently closed.

The Skirball Cultural Center (Brentwood)

The Skirball Cultural Center remains closed, but staff is working from home and available to respond to questions.

The Valley Relics Museum (Van Nuys)

The Valley Relics Museum is open Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Advertisements