From cuisine to art to music to politics to language to media, the bright threads of Latino culture have woven a permanent and prominent place in the mega metropolis tapestry known as Los Angeles. If you want to learn more about this rich Latino heritage, here are the top Latino museums to visit in LA.
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The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) – https://molaa.org/
Location: Long Beach
Cost: $15 – General Admission, $10 seniors and students, Free for children
The MOLAA is the only museum in the United States dedicated to modern and contemporary Latin American and Latino art. Every year they exhibit new artists, styles, and themes, so there’s always new art to discover. According to their website, “The Museum of Latin American Art expands knowledge and appreciation of modern and contemporary Latin American and Latino art through its Collection, ground-breaking Exhibitions, stimulating Educational Programs, and engaging Cultural Events.”
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La Plaza de Cultura y Artes – https://lapca.org/
Location: Downtown Los Angeles
Cost: $9 for adults, $7 for seniors and students, $5 for children.
La Plaza de Cultura y Artes museum includes a large interior with changing exhibitions and an outdoor space for performances. Across the street is La Plaza Cocina, a kitchen and museum dedicated to the Mexican-American in the US offering classes and tastings. According to their website, “LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes is a community hub where people gather to celebrate Latinx culture through transformative exhibitions, music, dance, culinary arts, and multigenerational artmaking and storytelling experiences.”
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The Autry Museum of the American West – https://theautry.org/
Location: Griffith Park
Cost: Adults: $16, Students and Seniors (ages 62+): $12, Children (ages 3-12): $8
While not exclusively focused on Hispanic heritage, the Autry Museum includes exhibits and artifacts related to the Spanish and Mexican influences in the American West, making it a relevant destination for those interested in the history of the region. According to their website, “The Autry brings together the stories of all peoples of the American West, connecting the past with the present to inspire our shared future.”
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The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture – https://riversideartmuseum.org/visit/the-cheech-marin-center-for-chicano-art-culture/
Location: Riverside, CA
Cost: $15.95 for adults, $10.95 for children 13-17, children under 12 are free
According to their website, “The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture opened in June 2022 as a public-private partnership between RAM, the City of Riverside, and comedian Cheech Marin—one of the world’s foremost collectors of Chicano art.” The museum strives to encourage emerging Latino artists to share their talent in painting, sculpture, photography, and video. There is lots to see at the Cheech Center, and lots to explore in the surrounding Riverside area if your family wants to make a day trip out of it.
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Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum – https://dominguezrancho.org/
Location: Compton
Cost: Free (Donation based)
According to their website, “The mission of the Friends of Rancho San Pedro is to preserve and increase community awareness of early California history as it relates to the Dominguez family, homestead adobe and the Rancho San Pedro, the first Spanish land grant in California. This is accomplished through educational programs and the operation of the Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum.” Sign up for a guided tour, and you will be able to explore 17 acres of lush gardens and green space and ten gallery rooms converted from the house that the Domingo family once lived in.
It’s exciting to visit culturally rich locations, but you can easily bring the culture to your child! If you live in Southern California and want your child to learn the Spanish language and culture, there’s no better program than Cultural Bytes’ After School Enrichment Program where our native-speaking instructors teach Spanish speaking, listening, writing and reading skills to children in various school districts in Southern California. Classes vary from 30, 60 and 90 minutes for each group and are offered from Monday to Friday in the afternoons. Please call Cultural Bytes at (818) 9373615 or email us at info@cultural-bytes.org to find out more information about a program near you.
