Being able to view a current breakout artist’s work or the recent fossil discoveries from around the world would seem a day that would not fit today’s economy. But what many Angelenos do not know is that depending on the day, many museums offer free entrance. There are at least 15 museums in Los Angeles County and all of them offer something for every age group.
The California Science Center offers free admission every day of the week. It also boasts the largest IMAX Theater with ticket prices all under $10. Movies currently showing include Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs and a film about the Hubble Space Station in 3D.
Besides the movies, the entire museum is free for patrons to explore. Hands-on exhibits such as Creative World shows how humans fulfill communication, transportation and structural needs.
In addition to the permanent exhibits, the Science Center hosts special exhibits. Currently open is Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science.
The best times to visit the museum are weekends or weekdays after 1:30 p.m. The California Science Center is located in Exposition Park at 39th Street and Figueroa Street. For questions, call 323-724-3623 or go to www.californiasciencecenter.org.
Another well-known museum that offers free admission is the Getty Center located at 1200 Getty Center Drive. All exhibits and tours are free for the public to visit every day except Mondays. Plant enthusiasts would enjoy the 45 minute garden tour that runs daily starting at 11:30 a.m.
For those that are into photography, Engaged Observer is now on exhibit until Nov. 14. The series displays documentary photography since the 1960s.
The Getty also offers an architecture tour of the unique buildings that make up the museum. Designed by Richard Meiers, the building, fountains and sculptures are all built into the hilltops of the San Gabriel Mountains.
For more information about the Getty Center, call 310-440-7300 or go to www.getty.edu.
Modern art lovers would benefit from taking a trip to the Museum of Contemporary Art. There are three locations that make up MOCA.
The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA is located at 152 North Central Ave. in Los Angeles. Currently on exhibit is Dennis Hopper’s Double Standard. The late actor’s work includes photography, paintings and sculpture dating back to the 1960s of “common objects and the dialogue between pop and progressive culture.”
At the MOCA Grand Avenue building at 250 South Grand Ave., Nancy Rubin’s sculpture work made completely of airplane parts is on exhibit.
The third location is the MOCA Pacific Design Center. It is currently displaying Ryan Trecatin’s Any Ever, a “non-sequential series of seven movies” showing “evolutions of identity, narrative, language, and visual culture.”
MOCA is open every day except Tuesday and Wednesday and offers free admission on Thursday nights between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Admission for students with I.D. is only $5. For more information, call 213-626-6222 or go to www.moca.org.
Another famous attraction is the Los Angeles County Museum of Art located at 5905 Wilshire Blvd. LACMA offers guided tours and sponsors many touring exhibits. Currently, L.A.-based photographer Catherine Opie’s collection, Figure and Landscape, is displayed at LACMA. Her photos for this collection focus on high school football and issues that relate to it such as “masculinity, community and national identity.”
LACMA is open everyday except Wednesdays and offers free admission to the public on the second Tuesday of every month. Every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, LACMA gives free admission to L.A. residents with proof of residency after 5 p.m. For more information call 323-857-6000 or go to www.lacma.org.
The Natural History Museum is another affordable place to go. The NHM is located at 900 Exposition Blvd. in Los Angeles. Spend the day walking with the dinosaurs and learn the story of the earth in the Age of Mammals exhibit.
Visitors can step into the Pavilion of Wings and try to count all the butterflies that are known to land on their guests. The NHM fills the Pavilion with butterflies from around the nation and their favorite plants and flowers.
Admission to the NHM is free on the first Tuesday of every month and is open every day. Student admission is only $6.50. For more information call 213-763-DINO or go to www.nhm.org.
