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The Broad

Attraction · Contemporary art museumBunker Hill, Downtown, Los Angeles

Free contemporary art museum on Grand Avenue in Downtown LA, home to Eli and Edythe Broad's collection of postwar and contemporary art, including a Yayoi Kusama Infinity Mirror Room.

At a glance

Type
Contemporary art museum
Area
Bunker Hill, Downtown, Los Angeles, United States
Opening
Open 6 days a week (closed Monday)
Official site
thebroad.org

Good to know

  • Free general admission
  • Timed reservations recommended
  • Infinity Mirror Room by reservation

Why we recommend it

The Broad is a contemporary art museum on Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles, built to house the collection of philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad. Its white honeycomb exterior sits right next to Walt Disney Concert Hall, and general admission is free, which makes it an easy addition to any day Downtown.

The collection focuses on postwar and contemporary art, and the galleries are laid out over two main floors. The best-known single work is Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirrored Room, The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away, a short, immersive experience that requires its own reservation made in advance. Some special exhibitions and events carry a separate charge, so check the programme when you book.

Reserving a timed ticket in advance is recommended. Walk-up tickets are available every day and extra same-day tickets are released online, but queues can be long at weekends and in the school holidays. The museum is closed on Mondays and stays open until 8pm on Thursdays, which is often a calmer time to visit.

The Broad works well for anyone who enjoys modern art, and its manageable size means you can see the main galleries in around ninety minutes. It is also a good choice on a budget, and teenagers in particular tend to enjoy the large-scale works. Combine it with Disney Concert Hall next door and The Grand LA development opposite for an easy half day on Bunker Hill.

A few tips help you make the most of a visit. Book the Infinity Mirrored Room as early as possible, as reservations are limited and it is the experience most people ask about. Look up at the top-floor galleries, which are lit through the ceiling and give the large works plenty of space. The museum store and the plaza outside are pleasant places to pause, and the stairway up to the Disney Concert Hall garden is just across the street. If you are visiting at the weekend, aim for opening time or the late afternoon, when the queue for walk-up entry tends to be shorter. Thursday evenings, with their later closing, are another good option for a more relaxed look around.

The Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill station on the Metro A and E Lines is a short walk away, and Grand Central Market and Angels Flight are just down the hill, which makes lunch afterwards straightforward.

The Broad FAQs

Is The Broad free?

Yes. General admission is free; some special exhibitions and events have a separate charge.

Do you need a reservation?

Reserving a timed ticket in advance is recommended, although walk-up tickets are available daily.

Can you see the Infinity Mirror Room?

Yes, but Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirrored Room requires a separate reservation made in advance.

When is The Broad open?

Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 11am to 5pm, Thursday 11am to 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm.

Is The Broad open on Mondays?

No. It is closed on Mondays, and also on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

How long should you allow?

About ninety minutes to two hours for the main galleries.

What is nearby?

Walt Disney Concert Hall is next door, and Grand Central Market is a short walk down the hill.

Is there a contact email?

Yes, The Broad lists [email protected].

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