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Welcome!

We only live once so why not make the most of it?! Endeavor to discover something new everyday, no matter how big or small. I hope you enjoy my experiences off the beaten path and can use some of the info I’ve provided along the way!

MOCA GRAND / MOCA GEFFEN - NOW FREE!

MOCA GRAND / MOCA GEFFEN - NOW FREE!

Michael Choi
Urban, Arts & Entertainment

DETAILS:

  • Location:

    • MOCA GRAND: 250 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012

    • MOCA GEFFEN: 152 North Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012

  • Hours of Operation (for both locations):

    • MONDAY: 11AM to 6PM

    • TUESDAY: Closed

    • WEDNESDAY: 11AM to 6PM

    • THURSDAY: 11AM to 8PM

    • FRIDAY: 11AM to 6PM

    • SATURDAY & SUNDAY: 11AM to 5PM

  • Parking:

    • MOCA GRAND:

      • Walt Disney Concert Hall: 111 S. Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012 / $9 with validation.

      • California Plaza: 351 S. Olive St., Los Angeles, CA 90013 / weekends and evenings $11.50, weekday rates vary with a $40.50 daily max.

      • Limited metered parking available in the area.

    • MOCA GEFFEN

      • 300 E. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 / $9 flat rate on weekdays. This lot is closed on weekends and after 4pm on weekdays.

      • 140 N. Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 / $9 flat rate on weekdays. $7 flat rate on weekends and after 4pm on weekdays.

      • Limited metered parking available in the area.

  • Cost:

    • As of January 2020, general admission at both locations is FREE!

    • Fees for special exhibits still apply. Please see their website below (under “resources”) for special exhibitions & rates.

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour (for each location)

  • Miscellaneous:

    • MOCA GRAND has a Lemonade Restaurant located on the grounds.

    • MOCA GEFFEN is located in the heart of Little Tokyo. Exploring the area before or after is highly recommended.

    • While general admission is free, you’ll still need to obtain a ticket at either box office. One ticket gains you entry into both location.

    • Exhibits rotate regularly. Please see their website below (under “resources”) for current exhibit lineup.

Without sounding biased, the art scene in Los Angeles is one of the preeminent locations in the world. Okay that definitely sounded biased, but should you disagree with that premise, I hope that we can at least acknowledge that there is a veritable cornucopia of galleries and museums in this city that span the gamut of artistic styles and disciplines. What’s even more amazing is that many are free (either permanently or on regular occasions). The list is both lengthy and exceptional: The Broad, The Annenberg Space for Photography, The Hammer Museum, Hauser & Wirth, The Getty Center and Villa (although you will have to pay for parking), LACMA (Free general admission every 2nd Tuesday of the Month from11am–5pm. LA County residents get free general admission every Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday from 3–5pm & Friday 3–8pm), and The Huntington Library & Botanical Garden (Free general admission first Thursday of the month with advanced ticket). As of January 11th of 2020, you can now add the Museum of Contemporary Art (Grand & Geffen locations) to that list thanks to a $10 million donation by Carolyn Powers; the MOCA Board of Trustees President, which makes general admission free at both branches.

According to MOCA director; Klaus Biesenbach via the LA Times, the goal is to remove financial barriers and make the museum more accessible, encouraging repeat visits and deepening community engagement. Biesenbach imagines an open door policy, much like a library. “We see ourselves as a civic institution, as a public institution, as a resident among residents, as part of the communities we live in. It’s about art and sharing it.” It’s safe to say that free admission should certainly help that endeavor.

Completed in 1986, MOCA GRAND (across the street from The Broad and Walt Disney Concert Hall) is considered the museum’s flagship location. It’s primarily used to display pieces from MOCA's permanent collection and augmented by special installations that rotate throughout the year. Located below street level on Grand Avenue, the exhibition space is arranged in one giant loop, divided by a dozen or so large rooms. Depending on your interest level of the art on display during your visit, your time within MOCA GRAND may vary greatly. But in most cases, an hour should provide plenty of time to take it all in since the museum is on the smaller side, relative to a museum like LACMA.

MOCA GEFFEN actually precedes MOCA GRAND by several years and was initially opened in 1983 as a temporary exhibit space while MOCA GRAND was being conceived and built. Located in the Little Tokyo district of DLTA, “The Temporary Contemporary” gained such popularity that the MOCA Board of Trustees extended its lease with the city beyond 2040. In 1996, it was subsequently renamed The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA after receiving a $5 million gift from The David Geffen Foundation. Situated in a 55,000 square foot warehouse-like facility, MOCA GEFFEN is an ideal venue to display works of a larger scale. The latest addition to MOCA GEFFEN occurred in 2019 thanks to a $5 million gift from MOCA trustees; Wonmi & Kihong Kwon. This particular donation paves the way for a performance space that will host free concerts, screenings, readings, conventions and other events. Again, your mileage may vary depending on the current exhibition during your visit, but an hour should provide enough time to visit MOCA GEFFEN.

MOCA GRAND MAP

 

MOCA GEFFEN MAP

 

RESOURCES:

Central Library (DTLA)

Central Library (DTLA)
Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium of the Pacific