Sabbatikos

Los Angeles boasts a wide variety of free art museums that cater to a diverse breadth of artistic styles, periods, and cultural interests. There are four standout institutions I’ve visited recently that everybody who comes to LA should visit. They are; The Broad (apparently if you are from LA it is pronounced “The Brode”), the Hammer Museum, the Getty Villa, and The Getty Center. But there are several more on my list I’ve yet to visit.

The Broad: Situated in downtown LA, The Broad is a contemporary art museum founded by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad. It offers free general admission with timed tickets available online. The museum is known for its extensive collection of post-war and contemporary art, featuring iconic works by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Yayoi Kusama, including her famous Infinity Mirror Room.

We went there to see a touring Keith Haring exhibit which did have an admission fee. It was absolutely amazing and absolutely worth the price of admission. Recently some of this exhibit has moved on to other museums such as MOPOP in Seattle. We also saw some Keith Haring when we went to see Luna Luna in May of 2024 when it was in LA.

After visiting the Haring exhibit (absolutely inspiring!) we went upstairs to see the works of a myriad of other artists. It was an inspirational day and nearby we took lunch at Philippe The Original to taste the original French dipped.

Hammer Museum: Located in Westwood and affiliated with UCLA, the Hammer Museum provides free admission to its cutting-edge and provocative exhibitions and events. It showcases a diverse range of art, from classic Impressionist paintings to contemporary works. There was so much interesting art. The special exhibit Made in LA: Acts of Living highlighted the diverse work of thirty-nine artists and groups based in the greater Los Angeles area.

Getty Villa: Nestled in the Pacific Palisades, the Getty Villa is dedicated to the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria. The museum, modeled after a Roman country house, features beautiful gardens and stunning architecture. The Villa houses approximately 44,000 antiquities, with over 1,200 on display. Admission is always free, but required an advance timed ticket similar to The Broad and The Getty Center. We went on Mother’s Day and reserved an early time slot to avoid the crowds. It was a lovely, relaxing, and informative exploration of an overwhelming pieces of ancient art.

Most recently we went to visit the Getty Center. It had been some 10 years or so since our last visit, so in many ways the museum was new to us.

The Getty Center, is a renowned cultural institution that showcases a massive collection of European paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts, alongside contemporary photography (Getty Images has a large presence in Seattle). The center is also known for its stunning architecture, beautiful gardens, and breathtaking views of the city, and the free train you have to take up from the parking garage to the campus.

Key works of art at the Getty Center include major masterpieces such as Vincent van Gogh‘s “Irises,”‘ as well as important works by Monet, Degas, Rembrandt, Rodin, and thousands of other works of art.

These amazing museums offer free access to absolutely remarkable art collections and enriching cultural experiences that inspire and young and old minds alike. I highly encourage you find our inspiration in LA’s free art.