Contemporary art aficionados will appreciate the Hammer Museum in Westwood. I visited during its “Made in LA” exhibit.
Watch my video walking tour of the Hammer Museum
The museum is free, although a fee applies for its underground parking. I found a parking meter nearby, which worked out perfectly.
The Hammer Museum was founded by Armand Hammer and opened to the public in 1990. Architect Edward Larrabee Barnes designed the building in a modernist style. In 1994, the museum entered into a partnership with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and became one of its public arts units.
A major renovation/expansion of the museum took place in 2023, unveiling a transformed block-length presence on Wilshire Boulevard, including a new street-level entrance space and expanded galleries.
Although the focus is on contemporary art, the museum also displays a mix of old masters, which were part of Armand Hammer’s personal collection.
During the exhibition “Made in LA 2025,” some of the galleries, including the Armand Hammer collection, are temporarily closed to accommodate the exhibit.
I visited on a Saturday, and there was a 1 pm tour that was more of a deep dive into the art given by a UCLA graduate. She asked for the group’s impressions of the artwork. I was pressed for time, and eventually drifted away from the group, but it was interesting and insightful.
The Hammer has rotating special exhibitions alongside its permanent collections.
Made in LA 2025 exhibition
Made in LA 2025 is the seventh presentation of the Hammer’s biennial exhibition. It showcases 28 local artists and collectives. The contributing artists hail from various parts of the city and are of all ages. The works include film, painting, theater, choreography, photography, sculpture, sound, and video.
Classes, public programs, and “learning” opportunities
The museum presents nearly 300 public programs annually, including film screenings, lectures, symposia, readings, music performances, and family-friendly workshops.
It also houses the state-of-the-art Billy Wilder Theater, which opened in 2006, that hosts film and media programs.
The gift shop is extraordinary, and there is a farm-to-table restaurant called Lulus where you can enjoy snacks and alcoholic libations.
The museum emphasizes contemporary local artists (especially Los Angeles-based) and offers support for emerging artists who reflect the current day.
Visit the Hammer Museum at 10899 Wilshire Blvd in the heart of Westwood. | Website
Hours are Tues – Friday, 11 am – 8 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm. It is closed on Mondays, national holidays, and is sometimes closed for special events, so check with the museum before arriving.
Where to stay
Click on the map below.
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