The Broad is a contemporary art museum at 221 S Grand Ave, in Downtown Los Angeles’s Bunker Hill neighborhood, California, United States of America. Founded by collectors Eli and Edythe Broad and opened in September 2015, it brings postwar and contemporary art into a free-admission setting. Travelers come for major collection artists, Yayoi Kusama’s immersive mirrored installation, and a honeycomb-like building that makes architecture part of the experience.
What to Expect at The Broad
Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with Gensler, the museum organizes its interior around a “veil-and-vault” concept. The porous exterior veil filters daylight into the upper galleries, while the central vault houses collection storage. A long escalator carries visitors through the building’s sculptural core to the third floor; descending stairs provide glimpses into storage through viewing windows. Elevators offer an alternative route. The contrast between the enclosed arrival sequence and expansive galleries is worth experiencing deliberately.
The collection includes Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Cindy Sherman, Barbara Kruger, and Jeff Koons, with selections changing rather than every work remaining permanently displayed. Check the museum’s current gallery highlights before choosing favorites. Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room—The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away (2013) creates seemingly limitless space with mirrors and LED lights. This first-floor installation requires its own free reservation category; an ordinary general-admission ticket does not include it. The enclosed experience lasts approximately one minute.
- Honeycomb exterior: Study the veil’s deep openings and changing shadows from Grand Avenue.
- Third-floor galleries: Explore rotating selections spanning postwar painting, photography, sculpture, and installation.
- Kusama’s mirrored chamber: Book “Infinity Mirrored Room + General Admission,” not general admission alone.
- Storage viewpoints: Look through windows along the descending staircase for a different perspective on collecting.
- Family audio guide: Listen to LeVar Burton’s “Looking with LeVar” tour through the free Bloomberg Connects mobile guide.
The Broad at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Bunker Hill, Downtown Los Angeles |
| Operating Hours | Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 11am–5pm; Thursday: 11am–8pm; Saturday–Sunday: 10am–6pm. Closed Monday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | General admission and reserved Kusama room admission: free. Some special exhibitions and events cost extra; see official tickets. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5–2.5 hours; longer for audio tours or special exhibitions. |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill station, Metro A and E lines. Underground parking: $19 for three hours with museum validation; $7 each additional 15 minutes; $29 daily maximum. Weekends and weeknights after 5pm: $19 flat rate. |
| Official Website / Phone | The Broad visitor information; +1 213-232-6200 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Choose an opening-time reservation to organize sightseeing around a predictable start, or use Thursday’s extended hours for an evening visit. Book ahead, especially for Kusama: monthly tickets normally release on the last Wednesday at 10am Pacific for the following month. Additional tickets appear daily. Arrive punctually for the mirrored room, whose entry is guaranteed only within ten minutes of your reservation. Review the booking and arrival rules; museum admission ends 30 minutes before closing. Walking children need tickets, while carried children and those in strollers do not.
From the A/E-line station, follow posted directions: the Hope Street pedestrian bridge is closed during expansion construction. Drivers should approach via Grand Avenue to the Second Street garage entrance. Step-free entry, elevators between public floors, accessible restrooms, and P1 accessible parking support wheelchair visits; strollers can use elevators rather than the escalator. Bunker Hill’s slopes make route selection important. The accessibility program includes sensory kits and a first-floor quiet room; Kusama’s chamber contains flashing lights. Pair your visit with MOCA Grand Avenue, about five minutes away, Grand Park, roughly 5–10 minutes, or Grand Central Market’s food stalls, around 10–15 minutes downhill.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is The Broad open, and when should I visit?
Visit Tuesday–Sunday; Monday is closed. Thursday stays open until 8pm. Choose the first timed slot for a straightforward start, or Thursday evening for a later itinerary.
Is admission free, and do I need reservations?
General admission is free, with advance reservations recommended and walk-ups available. Kusama’s room needs the separate free combined ticket. Some special exhibitions and events charge admission.
How much time should I budget?
Allow 1.5–2.5 hours for the collection, architecture, and shop. Add time for detailed audio listening, temporary exhibitions, or any wait associated with your reservation.
Is The Broad suitable for families and wheelchair users?
Yes. Elevators provide gallery access, strollers are welcome, and family resources include an audio tour and scavenger hunt. Ask staff about sensory accommodations before entering Kusama’s dark, enclosed installation.
When planning your Hollywood travel guide or comparing verified attractions and museums in Hollywood, pair this stop with standout local spots including Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Madame Tussauds Hollywood, Hollywood Beach Marriott, and Hollyhock House (6.5 km away).
