Art is expensive. That's why you have a Van Gogh poster on your wall instead of the real deal. Want to see art for realz but not spend the money? The trick is knowing when to go. Here's our list of the art museums in town, and when you can get in for free.
LACMA: The granddaddy of art on the west coast, has sizable collections of Western art from across the eras, as well as cultural items from around the world. General admission (i.e. to the permanent galleries and not to special exhibitions) is $12, or $8 with a student ID. After 5pm, admission is "pay what you wish," meaning let your guilt and wallet work it out. The museum is open to 8pm daily (but closed Wednesdays), and 9pm on Fridays, which gives you at least three solid hours to explore. General admission to the permanent galleries and non-ticketed exhibitions is free to all the second Tuesday of each month.
The Hammer Museum: Featuring a lovely collection of romantic art (the artistic movement, not the literary genre), and rotating exhibitions of contemporary artists, The Hammer is an often overlooked art venue in the city. The galleries are much more intimate than LACMA's, less crowded, and circle an open-air courtyard that plays home to a fantastic free concert series every summer. Regular admission is $7, but is free with student ID. Admission is free to all every Thursday.
The Getty Center: A pretty solid art collection and changing exhibitions are almost overshadowed by the awesomeness of the architecture, the gardens, and the spectacular views of LA from its perch in the hills above Bel Air. Definitely a must-see for any Angelino. On clear days (say the day after a good rainstorm) you can even see the Ocean. The Getty is free, but there is a catch. To get to the Getty, you take a short tram from the parking plaza up to the top of the mountain. Parking there is $15 per car, and free after 5pm on Saturdays when the Getty closes at 9pm, and other evening programs. To get around that, ride a bike, take a bus, or get a friend to drop you off.
The Getty Villa: Part of the same institution as the museum, but an independent cultural site, the Getty Villa is a sprawling compound brimming with ancient Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art and artifacts, alongside gardens, walking paths, and a picturesque setting. Situated in Malibu overlooking the water, it's a struggle to avoid spending the day outside instead of in the galleries. Like the Getty Center, admission is free (though reservations are required), and parking is $15 per car, except for evening events when it's gratis. Walking tours are frequent, informative, and also free.
MOCA: The Museum of Contemporary Art has some really whacked out stuff that I'm not sure qualifies as Art. It also has works by such greats as Warhol and Lichtenstein, and you can probably find something you like in the mix. In downtown LA, where parking is a nightmare, it can be hard to get to, but you can't miss seeing other LA landmarks like FrankGehry's Disney Concert Hall across the street. MOCA admission is $10, $5 with student ID, and free Thursday evenings from 5-8pm.
Norton Simon Museum of Art: Originally the private collection of business mogul Norton Simon, the Norton Simon is a massive array of art from the ages. It's not hard to see why this Pasadena monument is the premier art museum on the east side of the county. Admission is $8, free with student ID, and free the first Friday of every month from 6-9pm.
Armory Center for the Arts : Also in Pasadena, the Armory is a community arts center with educational programing in the arts, alongside art exhibitions and live performances. The art galleries are open 12-5pm Tuesday-Sunday, and are free to enter.
Santa Monica Museum of Art: LA, with its large collection of cities, also has some choice localized art museums, this being one. More focused on installations and contemporary art, it may not be for everyone. Admission is a suggested donation of $5, $3 for artists and students.
The Huntington: The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens has all of those things, and they're all awesome. View the art! Walk the gardens! See the books! Feel important! But not as important as the researchers who actually get to read the books. It's pricey to get in ($15-$20, $10 for students), but is free the first Thursday of every month with advance tickets. Highly recommended.
Bowers Museum: The Bowers Museum has fine art, Native American cultural artifacts, and is also the stop for traveling exhibitions like the Dead Sea Scrolls in Orange County. It's $12 to get in, $9 for students, free the first Sunday of the month, and also free to Santa Ana residents the third Tuesday of the month as well.
Long Beach Museum of Art: Yep, there's a lot of art around these parts. So, yeah, art museum, in long beach, the whole deal. $7 to get in, $6 for students, free every Friday.