Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles

Name: Museum of Contemporary Art
Address: 250 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, 90012, United States
Telephone: +1 213-621-2766

#48 among attractions in Los Angeles

Museum, Art museum, Postmodern architecture, Modern art museum, More...

Gallery (7)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY 2.0 / Rob Young / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Dietmar Rabich / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / Villarreal9 / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Minnaert / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / Ziad / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / Minnaert / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / Minnaert / URL

Facts and practical information

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles stands as a beacon of modern creativity and innovation in the heart of a city renowned for its cultural diversity and artistic vibrancy. Established in 1979, MOCA was the first museum in Los Angeles dedicated solely to contemporary art, and it has since become a seminal institution in the global art scene.

Located on Grand Avenue, the museum is a stone's throw from the Walt Disney Concert Hall and The Broad, forming a trifecta of artistic venues in the area. MOCA's collection is a dynamic mix of over 7,000 objects, encompassing a wide range of media and genres, from painting and sculpture to photography, video, and experimental works that challenge the boundaries of art itself.

The museum's architecture, designed by the renowned Japanese architect Arata Isozaki, is a masterpiece in its own right. Its sleek, postmodern facade and versatile interior spaces provide a fitting backdrop for the thought-provoking art within. Exhibitions at MOCA are often cutting-edge, featuring works by both established and emerging artists, ensuring that visitors are always presented with fresh and engaging perspectives.

MOCA prides itself on its educational programs, which include lectures, film screenings, and hands-on workshops, aiming to inspire and inform audiences of all ages. The institution also hosts performances and events that reflect the city's diverse cultural landscape, making it a hub for artistic discourse and community engagement.

The museum is open to the public throughout the year, offering both guided tours and the freedom to explore independently. Whether one is an avid art enthusiast or a curious visitor, MOCA provides an immersive experience that encapsulates the spirit of contemporary art and its role in shaping society.

Alternative names: Established: 1979 (45 years ago)Coordinates: 34°3'12"N, 118°15'4"W

Address

250 S Grand AveCentral Los Angeles (Downtown Los Angeles)Los Angeles 90012 United States

Contact

+1 213-621-2766

Website

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Los Angeles

Day trips

Museum of Contemporary Art – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Children's Museum of Los Angeles, Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Smell, Bradbury Building.

~1830 ftE
Museum
Children's Museum of Los Angeles, Los Angeles
9 min walk • The Children's Museum of Los Angeles is an interactive haven that sparks the imagination and creativity of its young visitors. Nestled in the bustling metropolis of Los Angeles, this family-friendly destination is dedicated to providing children with an immersive...
~820 ftN
Music and shows, Nightlife, Postmodern architecture
Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles
4 min walk • Nestled in the vibrant heart of Los Angeles, the Walt Disney Concert Hall stands as a modern marvel in the city's cultural landscape. This iconic music venue, with its striking architecture designed by Frank Gehry, has become an emblem of innovation and excellence in...
~1860 ftSE
Nightlife, Dancing
The Smell, Los Angeles
9 min walk • The Smell is an all-ages, alcohol and drug-free, punk rock and experimental music venue in Downtown Los Angeles, California. The Smell, notable for its DIY ethic, is home to many of the area's avant-garde performers and artists.
~1360 ftSE
Landmark site with a Victorian interior
Bradbury Building, Los Angeles
7 min walk • The Bradbury Building is an architectural landmark in downtown Los Angeles, California, United States. Built in 1893, the five-story office building is best known for its extraordinary skylit atrium of access walkways, stairs and elevators, and their ornate ironwork.
~820 ftS
Bridge, Scenic railroads, Historical place
Angels Flight, Los Angeles
4 min walk • Angels Flight is a landmark and historic 2 ft 6 in narrow gauge funicular railway in the Bunker Hill district of Downtown Los Angeles, California.
~1350 ftNE
Music and shows, Nightlife, Music venue
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles
7 min walk • The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is one of the halls in the Los Angeles Music Center, which is one of the largest performing arts centers in the United States.
~1710 ftNE
Park
Grand Park, Los Angeles
9 min walk • Grand Park is a 12-acre park located in the civic center of Los Angeles, California. First developed in 1966 as the 'Civic Center Mall' with plazas, fountains and a Court of Flags,it is now a part of the larger redevelopment known as the Grand Avenue Project, with its first phase having opened in July 2012.
~400 ftN
Museum, Art museum, Modern art museum
The Broad, Los Angeles
2 min walk • The Broad is a contemporary art museum on Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles. The museum is named for philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad, who financed the $140 million building that houses the Broad art collections.
~1890 ftS
Artsy park with summer concerts and events
Pershing Square, Los Angeles
10 min walk • Pershing Square is a small public park in Downtown Los Angeles, California, one square block in size, bounded by 5th Street to the north, 6th Street to the south, Hill Street to the east, and Olive Street to the west.
~1260 ftSE
Concerts and shows, Theater, Spanish colonial revival architecture
Million Dollar Theater, Los Angeles
7 min walk • The Million Dollar Theatre at 307 S. Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles is one of the first movie palaces built in the United States. It opened in 1917 with the premiere of William S. Hart's The Silent Man.
~1630 ftSW
Library, Art gallery, Historical place
Los Angeles Public Library, Los Angeles
8 min walk • The Los Angeles Public Library system serves the residents of the City of Los Angeles. The system holds more than six million volumes, and with around 19 million residents in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area, it serves the largest population of any public library system in the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Museum of Contemporary Art open?

Museum of Contemporary Art is open:

Monday 11 am - 6 pm
Tuesday closed
Wednesday 11 am - 6 pm
Thursday 11 am - 8 pm
Friday 11 am - 6 pm
Saturday 11 am - 5 pm
Sunday 11 am - 5 pm

Which popular attractions are close to Museum of Contemporary Art?

Nearby attractions include 1 Cal Plaza, Los Angeles (2 min walk), Zipper Hall, Los Angeles (2 min walk), The Broad, Los Angeles (2 min walk), Wells Fargo Center, Los Angeles (3 min walk).

How to get to Museum of Contemporary Art by public transport?

The nearest stations to Museum of Contemporary Art:

Bus

Grand Avenue & 3rd Street • Lines: J (2 min walk)
Olive Street & General Thaddeus Kosciuszko Way • Lines: J (3 min walk)

Metro

Pershing Square • Lines: B, D (7 min walk)
Civic Center/Grand Park • Lines: B, D (8 min walk)

Light rail

7th Street/Metro Center • Lines: A, E (14 min walk)
Union Station • Lines: L (25 min walk)

Train

Los Angeles Union Station (25 min walk)