Broad (museum)

Broad (museum). The Broad is a contemporary art museum founded by philanthropists Eli Broad and Edythe Broad on Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles. Opened in 2015, the institution houses the nearly 2,000 works of the Broad Art Foundation and the Broads' personal collections, making it one of the most prominent holdings of postwar and contemporary art globally. The museum is renowned for its innovative "veil-and-vault" architectural concept and offers free general admission to its extensive collections and special exhibitions.

History

The museum's creation was driven by the longstanding philanthropic vision of Eli Broad, a prominent businessman and co-founder of KB Home and SunAmerica. Planning began in 2010, with the selection of the architectural firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro to design a distinctive home for the Broads' collections, which had been loaned to institutions worldwide through the Broad Art Foundation since 1984. The $140 million building was constructed on a parcel of land leased from the City of Los Angeles, adjacent to the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Following a grand opening in September 2015, the museum quickly became a major cultural anchor in the Grand Avenue corridor, significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Southern California.

Architecture

Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the 120,000-square-foot building is celebrated for its unique "veil-and-vault" concept. The exterior veil is a porous, honeycomb-like structure made of 2,500 fiberglass-reinforced concrete panels that filter daylight into the gallery spaces. This veil envelops a solid, sculptural volume known as the "vault," which houses the museum's collection storage and offices. Visitors encounter the vault's sloping underbelly as they ascend a 105-foot-long escalator through a dramatic, tunnel-like entrance. The third-floor galleries provide 50,000 square feet of column-free exhibition space, illuminated by natural light from the veil. The building's design creates a dynamic dialogue with neighboring structures like the Walt Disney Concert Hall by Frank Gehry and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

Collections

The Broad's collection is derived from the Broad Art Foundation and the personal holdings of Eli Broad and Edythe Broad, featuring seminal works from the 1950s to the present. It holds one of the world's most comprehensive collections of works by Jeff Koons, including iconic pieces like "Tulips" and "Balloon Dog." Other major strengths include extensive holdings of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Cindy Sherman, Andy Warhol, and Roy Lichtenstein. The collection also features significant works by Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Kara Walker, Takashi Murakami, and Yayoi Kusama, whose "Infinity Mirrored Room – The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away" is a perennial visitor favorite. The museum actively continues to acquire works by contemporary artists such as Julie Mehretu, Mark Bradford, and Barbara Kruger.

Exhibitions and programs

The museum presents a rotating schedule of special exhibitions drawn from its deep holdings and organizes major traveling shows. Notable past exhibitions have included comprehensive surveys of artists like Cindy Sherman, Takashi Murakami, and Yayoi Kusama. It also hosts the innovative "The Broad Collection" series, which re-installs its core collection in thematic presentations. Public programs are a central focus, featuring talks with artists like Kara Walker and John Baldessari, performances, film screenings, and family workshops. The museum's educational initiatives, including school tours and teacher resources, are supported by the Broad Foundation and aim to increase access to contemporary art for diverse audiences across Los Angeles.

Governance and funding

The Broad is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a board of directors. The founding director is Joanne Heyler, who previously managed the Broad Art Foundation. The museum's operations and acquisitions are funded by a substantial endowment established by Eli Broad and Edythe Broad, alongside support from the Broad Foundation. The institution maintains a strict policy of free general admission, a commitment made possible by its endowment and philanthropic model. The museum frequently collaborates with other major institutions, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), on exhibitions and civic cultural projects.

Category:Art museums and galleries in Los Angeles Category:Contemporary art museums in California Category:Museums established in 2015 Category:2015 establishments in California