The Broad is a contemporary art museum located on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles. Founded by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad, the museum was designed by the architectural firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with Gensler. The building is characterized by its 'veil and vault' concept, featuring a porous, honeycomb-like exterior structure that filters natural light into the galleries while housing the collection's storage in a central, opaque core.
The museum houses a collection of nearly 2,000 works of contemporary art, representing the holdings of the Broad Art Foundation and the Eli and Edythe L. Broad Collection. The collection includes works by over 200 artists, with a particular focus on postwar and contemporary art, including significant pieces by Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Cindy Sherman, and Yayoi Kusama.
Key Facts
- Materials
- Concrete, Steel, Fiberglass-reinforced concrete
- Civilization
- Contemporary American
- Accessibility
- Fully wheelchair accessible
- Date(s)
- 2012-2015
- Condition
- Active
- Original Function
- Art Museum
- Key Figures
- Eli Broad, Edythe Broad, Elizabeth Diller, Ricardo Scofidio
Founding and Vision
2008-2012In 2008, Eli and Edythe Broad announced their intention to build a museum to house their extensive collection of contemporary art. The site on Grand Avenue was selected to contribute to the cultural revitalization of downtown Los Angeles, situated adjacent to the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Design and Construction
2012-2015The architectural design was unveiled in 2011, featuring the distinctive 'veil' facade. Construction began in 2012, involving complex engineering to integrate the 'vault'—the storage area for the collection—into the building's structural design.
Opening and Expansion
2015-PresentThe Broad opened to the public in September 2015. Since its inception, it has become a major cultural institution in Los Angeles, known for its free general admission policy and its role in hosting high-profile rotating exhibitions.
Cultural Significance
The Broad has played a pivotal role in the transformation of downtown Los Angeles into a major cultural hub. By providing free access to a world-class collection of contemporary art, the museum has significantly increased public engagement with modern art in Southern California. Its architectural design has also been recognized as a landmark of contemporary urban design.
Interpretive Notes
Scholarly debates and areas of uncertainty
Discussions surrounding the museum often focus on the 'veil and vault' architectural concept, specifically the tension between the museum as a public exhibition space and the museum as a private storage facility for the Broad collection. Additionally, the museum's influence on the local art market and its role in the gentrification of the Bunker Hill area remain subjects of urban planning and sociological discourse.
Visiting Information
Entry Rules
General admission is free, though advance timed-entry reservations are highly recommended. Visitors must pass through security screening. Large bags and backpacks are not permitted in the galleries.
Best Times to Visit
Weekday mornings are generally less crowded than weekends. Reservations for popular special exhibitions should be made well in advance.
Photography
Non-commercial photography is permitted in the galleries without flash or tripods. Video recording is restricted in certain special exhibition areas.
Nearby POIs
16 shownSources & Further Reading
- [1]The Broad: Architecture and Collection — Joanne Heyler. Prestel Publishing (2015)
- [2]Diller Scofidio + Renfro: The Broad — Elizabeth Diller. Phaidon Press (2016)
Key Facts
- Materials
- Concrete, Steel, Fiberglass-reinforced concrete
- Civilization
- Contemporary American
- Accessibility
- Fully wheelchair accessible