The Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum, known locally as the Kleefeld Contemporary, is California State University, Long Beach’s on-campus art museum on the university’s east-side campus off Bellflower Boulevard. Formerly the University Art Museum, it took its current name in 2020 after a major gift from artist, poet, and philanthropist Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld (source: [HENI](https://heni.com/news?artist=Carolyn%20Campagna%20Kleefeld)). Visitors come for free and rigorous contemporary exhibitions that rival larger Los Angeles institutions.
The program rotates through solo and group shows by international and regional contemporary artists, along with exhibitions of student and faculty work from CSULB’s College of the Arts. A gallery devoted to Kleefeld’s own paintings and poetry explores consciousness and transformation, themes she has pursued for more than four decades (source: [Carolyn Mary Kleefeld](https://carolynmarykleefeld.com/inner-landscapes-the-themes-of-consciousness-and-transformation-in-carolyn-campagna-kleefelds-work/)). The galleries are compact and uncrowded, and an artist talk or opening reception can bring you into direct conversation with the people who made the work.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Admission is free. Hours change between exhibitions and around academic breaks, so check the museum’s website before you go. Weekday mornings are the quietest time to visit. Opening nights draw the biggest crowds. Campus parking requires a paid permit, which you can buy at kiosks or through the university’s parking app. Allow extra time to see the outdoor sculptures across campus and the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, which is a short walk away.
