A.'s Cultural Revival

The Broad museum in downtown Los Angeles has revealed its plans for a $100 million building expansion to increase its gallery space by 70%. This ambitious project aims to provide a much-needed boost to downtown L.A., which has struggled to recover from the pandemic and remote work trends. The expansion, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the same firm responsible for the original museum's design, is set to break ground in early 2025 and expected to be completed before the 2028 Summer Olympics.

The decision to expand the museum came after it exceeded its projected visitor numbers. Initially anticipating around 250,000 visitors a year when it opened in 2015, the Broad has since welcomed over 900,000 people annually, with a total of 5.5 million visitors to date. The Broad's mission, according to Joanne Heyler, founding director and president, is to cultivate a larger audience for contemporary art and create a premier destination on Grand Avenue.

The expansion, which will be connected to the existing museum via a third-floor door and passageway leading to a courtyard, will feature new galleries on the first, second, and third floors. A unique feature of the new building will be an immersive storage vault that showcases art from the Broad's extensive collection. The architecture of the addition will mirror the smooth gray core of the existing museum, creating a harmonious conversation between the two structures.

Admission to the Broad will remain free, and the reservation system will continue, allowing visitors to secure their slots in advance or wait in a daily standby line. The expansion will also include top-floor courtyards for outdoor artwork, as well as live programming spaces for performances, talks, and multimedia installations. The museum aims to showcase more than just a few monographs at a time and provide diverse experiences for all visitors.

The Broad's collection, which already boasts influential artists like Andy Warhol, Barbara Kruger, and Jeff Koons, will continue to expand under the guidance of Edythe Broad and Joanne Heyler. Artist Mark Bradford praised the expansion, emphasizing the importance of creating more space for ideas to live together in material form.

The Grand Avenue area, where the Broad is located, has seen various developments, including the recently built Frank Gehry-designed Grand LA. However, despite these additions, downtown L.A.'s revitalization has faced challenges. Many establishments that once drew in affluent residents have closed, and the area has struggled with the impact of a large unhoused population. Nevertheless, supporters hope that the Broad's expansion, along with the Grand Avenue Project featuring the Music Center, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Colburn School, will help revitalize the neighborhood and cement it as a cultural beacon for Los Angeles.

As the Broad Museum prepares for its expansion, it signifies a renewed commitment to showcasing contemporary art and creating an inclusive cultural hub that resonates with the diverse population of Los Angeles.