By Laura Salazar

One of the things that I’ve missed the most during the pandemic has been visiting the museums in SoCal. California has some of the best museums in the world; you’re sure to find something you’re going to like. It’s worth mentioning that lots of these museums are either free or have some sort of student discount, which makes learning outside of the studio way more accessible.

During my Foundation year, I would go out and visit museums during my free time. I would always go in with a sketchbook and a couple of colored pencils in my backpack, and make quick sketches of whatever caught my eye. This was super helpful as it was a great way to quickly practice drawing, as well as collect and compile techniques and color palettes I liked. 

Without further ado, here’s the list of museums I want to visit now that California has reopened:

The Getty Center

I remember the time I visited the Getty more than 10 years ago. I’ve been there countless times since, and let me tell you, there’s always something new every time I visit. It’s a nice place to relax and walk around while learning about the past and present. There are many nice spots to sit down and sketch the exhibitions, people walking by, and flowers in the garden. Admission to the Getty is always free. You can visit anytime between 10am–5pm Tuesday to Sunday. 

LACMA

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is one of my all time favorites. This is always a good place to visit with friends. Sometimes (if you’re lucky), you might be able to listen to some live music! They are currently having a Yoshitomo Nara exhibition, so make sure to go and take a look! Admission is free after 3pm Monday through Friday, or you can get a ticket to spend all day there for $16 by showing your student ID.

The Broad

I will admit, I have never been here, but I’ve walked past it multiple times. This museum is located next to the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Downtown LA. It has some really cool stuff you have probably seen before, such as pieces by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jeff Koons, and Andy Warhol. Admission is always free. The Grand Central Market is a couple of blocks away, so make sure to grab a bite there before you visit The Broad!

MOCA

I was supposed to visit the MOCA with my Creative Practices class. However, we were scheduled to go there the same week everything in California shut down. Although I still haven’t been able to visit, I want to go there at least once by the end of the year. They have some really cool stuff that you probably won’t be able to find anywhere else! Admission is free, and it’s open Thursdays to Sundays between 11am and 3pm.

There are many other cool museums in the area such as the La Brea Tar Pits, The Huntington Library, the Hammer, and the Natural History Museum. Make sure to spend some time visiting some of these cool spots when you’re in LA. Going to museums is a great way to see what you have learned about in the studio out in the real world. Once you’re here, make sure to take advantage of everything Los Angeles has to offer.