From the 1964-established Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to the anticipated 2026 opening of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, Los Angeles’ cultural landscape has evolved dramatically over the years. As these venues have emerged, they’ve shaped L.A.’s identity as a global arts capital, providing diverse experiences from opera to contemporary art. Here, Angeleno showcases the city’s most influential institutions, highlighting their architectural significance, artistic offerings and one-of-a-kind identities.
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is part of The Music Center in DTLA. PHOTO BY MARK LYONS
• Year Opened: 1964
• Architect: Welton Becket
• Location: Inside The Los Angeles Music Center in DTLA
• Known For: Performances by the LA Opera
• Iconic Pieces: LA Opera’s Madame Butterfly, Romeo and Juliet and Rigoletto
• Perfect For: Operatic mastery in a historic venue
LACMA’s exterior, designed by Renzo Piano and Peter Zumthor; PHOTO COURTESY OF MUSEUM ASSOCIATES/LACMA
• Year Opened: 1965
• Architect: Renzo Piano & Peter Zumthor
• Location: Miracle Mile on Wilshire Blvd.
• Known For: More than 150,000 art pieces spanning nearly 6,000 years of expression, from Greek ceramics to contemporary art of the Middle East and the Americas
• Iconic Pieces: Chris Burden,“Urban Light” (2008, Restored cast iron antique street lamps); René Magritte, “The Treachery of Images” (1929, Oil on canvas); Diego Rivera, “Flower Day (Dìa de Flores)”(1925, Oil on canvas); Michael Heizer, “Levitated Mass”(2012, Diorite granite and concrete)
• Perfect For: Taking in impressive art while enjoying the iconic outdoor installations
The Getty Center, perched in the Brentwood hills; PHOTO BY JOHN STEPHENS
• Year Opened: 1979
• Architect: Arata Isozaki
• Location: Downtown L.A. near Disney Concert Hall
• Known For: Contemporary artwork from 1940 onward
• Iconic Pieces: Jackson Pollock, “Number 1, 1949” (1949, Enamel and metallic paint on canvas) and works by Cindy Sherman, Mark Rothko and Roy Lichtenstein
• Perfect For: Supporting the creation of challenging and compelling artistic works
• Year Opened: 1990
• Architect: Edward Larabee Barnes; Michael Maltzan Architecture
• Location: Westwood, adjacent to UCLA’s campus
• Known For: Dynamic exhibitions and programs spanning works from contemporary, historical and emerging artists
• Iconic Pieces: The Armand Hammer Collection, featuring Gustave Moreau, “King David” (1878, Oil on canvas) and “Salomé Dancing before Herod” (1876, Oil on canvas) and Vincent van Gogh, “Hospital at Saint-Rémy” (1889, Oil on Canvas)
• Perfect For: Learning more about the global and social impact of art
The Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall was completed in October 2003; PHOTO BY ELIZABETH ASHER COURTESY OF THE LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC
• Year Opened: 1997
• Architect: Richard Meier
• Location: The scenic hills of Brentwood
• Known For: Art from the Middle Ages to today surrounded by a modern infrastructure
• Iconic Pieces: Vincent van Gogh, “Irises” (1889, Oil on canvas); The Department of Photographs featuring collections from Bruno Bischofberger, Arnold Crane, Volker Kahmen/Georg Heusch and Samuel Wagstaff, Jr.; Robert Irwin’s 134,000-square-foot Central Garden
• Perfect For: Lingering among famous works in an indoor-outdoor setting
• Year Opened: 2003
• Architect: Frank Gehry
• Location: Downtown L.A.
• Known For: Home to the LA Phil and LA Master Chorale
• Iconic Pieces: The LA Phil Gala Concert; Great Performances: The LA Phil Celebrates Frank Gehry, directed by Michael Beyer and produced by Bernhard Fleischer
• Perfect For: Taking in world-class orchestral productions in a dynamically designed space
The Broad is housed inside eye-catching architecture by Diller Scofidio Renfro; PHOTO BY MIKE KELLEY
• Year Opened: 2013
• Architect: Zoltan Pali
• Location: Beverly Hills, minutes from Rodeo Drive
• Known For: A plethora of performing arts productions, such as dance, film, comedy, theater and more
• Iconic Pieces: With a constant rotation of unique productions, there’s always something new to see at The Wallis.
• Perfect For: Discovering a one-of-a-kind performance in an intimate setting
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is a more recent addition to L.A.’s cultural scene; PHOTO BY JOSHUA WHITE/JWPICTURES
• Year Opened: 2015
• Architect: Diller Scofidio + Renfro
• Location: Across the street from the Walt Disney Concert Hall in DTLA
• Known For: Contemporary art from the 1950s onward and engaging temporary exhibitions
• Iconic Pieces: Jeff Koons, “Tulips” (1995-2004, Mirror-polished stainless steel with transparent color coating); Roy Lichtenstein, “I…I’m Sorry” (1965-66, Oil and Magna on canvas); Jean-Michel Basquiat, “Untitled” (1981, Acrylic and oil stick on canvas); Ed Ruscha, “Norm’s, La Cienega, On Fire” (1964, Oil and pencil on canvas)
• Perfect For: Engaging with vibrant and interactive exhibits
• Year Opened: 2021
• Architect: Renzo Piano and Kulapat Yantrasast
• Location: Next to the LACMA on Miracle Mile
• Known For: A collection of 13 million objects covering the art and science of movie-making
• Iconic Pieces: Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz; Elizabeth Taylor’s wig worn in Cleopatra; a shark from Jaws; one of the original models from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
• Perfect For: Experiencing the movie magic behind our favorite films
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is coming to Exposition Park in 2026; PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LUCAS MUSEUM OF NARRATIVE ART
• Year Opening: 2026
• Architect: Ma Yansong of MAD Architects
• Location: Exposition Park
• Known For: Anything from ancient Roman mosaics to Renaissance paintings, film and comics
• Iconic Pieces: Robert Colescott, “George Washington Carver Crossing the Delaware: Page from an American History Textbook” (1975, Acrylic on canvas); Lucas Cranach the Elder, “The Judgement of Solomon” (1526, Painting on wood); John Singer Sargent, “Las Meninas, After Velásquez” (1879, Oil on canvas); Frida Kahlo, “Autorretrato dedicado al Dr. Eloesser (Self-Portrait Dedicated to Dr. Eloesser” (1940, Oil on masonite)
• Perfect For: Exploring lesser-known art across all mediums
Photography by: Mark Lyons
