Museum of Latin American Art facts for kids
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| Established | 1996 |
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| Location | 628 Alamitos Avenue Long Beach, California 90802, United States |
| Type | Modern and Contemporary Latin American Art |
The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) is a special place in Long Beach, California, United States. It was started in 1996 by Dr. Robert Gumbiner. MOLAA is the only museum in the United States that focuses only on modern and contemporary art from Latin America and by Latino artists. It helps people in the greater Los Angeles area learn about this amazing art.
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The Museum's Story
MOLAA is located in downtown Long Beach, California. The building was designed by a Mexican architect named Manuel Rosen. Inside, you'll find four main art galleries. There's also a special "project space" for new art ideas. Outside, you can explore a beautiful sculpture garden.
From Film Studio to Art Museum
The land where MOLAA stands has a cool history. From 1913 to 1918, it was home to the Balboa Amusement Producing Company. This was a huge silent film studio, even before Hollywood became famous! They made tons of movies, almost 20,000 feet of film every week.
One part of the museum, used for events and education, might have been part of the old Balboa film studio. The main art galleries and offices are in a building that used to be a roller skating rink. It was called the Hippodrome.
The Hippodrome was built in the late 1920s, after the film studios left. For about 40 years, it was a popular spot for skaters. Its tall ceilings and wooden floors were perfect. Later, these features helped it become the Museum of Latin American Art.
Growing and Improving MOLAA
In 2007, MOLAA finished a big project. They spent $10 million to make the museum even better. This included adding a large 15,000 square foot sculpture garden. They also built an art studio for classes and a room for showing films. New offices, a research library, and a new entrance were also part of the plan.
This expansion more than doubled the museum's size. It grew to 55,000 square feet. This meant MOLAA could welcome many more visitors. It also allowed them to offer more art shows and programs to the community.
Exploring the Sculpture Garden
MOLAA's Sculpture Garden is designed with a Latin American feel. It has large wall elements and interesting shapes. You'll see bright, strong colors, just like in many Latin American courtyards.
The garden has different levels, with raised and lowered areas. This breaks up the big 15,000 square foot space. It creates smaller, cozy spots to relax. The main raised area on the north side is used for many events. Keeping with Latin design, the garden also has water features. There are two bubbling fountains, with the largest one in the center.
The Art Collection
MOLAA has a permanent collection of over 1,500 artworks. This includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, and mixed-media pieces. You can also see photography and video art. The collection features works by famous Latin American artists. Some of these artists are Dario Escobar, Pájaro (Juan Vicente Hernández), Daniel Lind-Ramos, Marco Maggi, Liliana Porter, Esterio Segura, and Flavio Garciandia.
Working with the Smithsonian
MOLAA is connected to the Smithsonian Institution. This means it's an "Affiliate Museum." This special connection allows MOLAA to borrow artworks from the Smithsonian. It also lets them use other helpful resources from the Smithsonian.
Special Art Shows
MOLAA often hosts traveling exhibitions. These shows bring art from other places to the museum. Past exhibitions have shown works by modern masters like Oswaldo Guayasamín, Wifredo Lam, and David Alfaro Siqueiros. They have also featured art by contemporary Latin American artists. Some of these include Regina Galindo, Roberto Fabelo, and Marcos Ramirez Erre.
Past Notable Exhibitions
- Fabelo’s Anatomy: This show ran from June 28 to September 28, 2014. It was the first time Roberto Fabelo's art had a solo museum exhibition in the United States.
- Frida Kahlo, Her Photos: In March 2014, MOLAA hosted this popular exhibit. About 55,000 people came to see it. The museum's membership also grew by 60% because of this show.
In June 2014, MOLAA made an important decision. They decided to include Chicano art in their definition of Latin American art. Chicano art is made by people of Latin American descent who have lived only in the United States. This change means the museum can now welcome art from all Latino communities. This includes artists living in their home countries, the U.S., or anywhere else. MOLAA planned its first Biennial of Latin(o) American Art for 2016. This event celebrated MOLAA's 20th anniversary.
MOLAA's Purpose
The Museum of Latin American Art wants to help people learn more about and enjoy modern and contemporary Latin American art. It also focuses on Latino art. They do this through their art collection, exciting exhibitions, fun educational programs, and engaging cultural events.
Visiting MOLAA
The Museum of Latin American Art is located at 628 Alamitos Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802. You can find free parking at the museum or on the street.
HOURS
MUSEUM GALLERIES, GARDEN & STORE
MON CLOSED
TUE CLOSED
WED 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
THU 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
FRI 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
SAT 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
SUN 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
(HOLIDAYS MAY DIFFER)
You can call them at [[1]]. For more information, visit their website: molaa.org.
