Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, La Jolla

The Museum of Contemporary Art boasts a collection of over 4,700 works of art in all mediums. Every piece of art on display was created after 1950, hence the contemporary nature of the collection.

During your visit, you’ll have the chance to view art from multiple areas of the globe, with a focus on art produced in Latin America and California, especially the San Diego and Tijuana region. There’s a wide range of representation including installation art, conceptual art, and samples of the minimalism and Pop Art trends that were popularized in the 1960s and 1970s. The museum is continually expanding its collection and rotating its displays, so there’s always something new and exciting to see no matter how many times you visit.

In addition to the extensive collection lining each room, the Museum of Contemporary Art also has temporary exhibitions that highlight a particular artist, movement, or aspect of contemporary art. These exhibitions provide greater detail on the importance of a selection of works, making them a great educational opportunity.

Collection Galleries

Collection galleries feature carefully selected works from the museum’s large collection, all of which have been thoughtfully arranged to communicate a message and help museum visitors develop a better understanding of contemporary art.

Since 1969, the Museum of Contemporary Art has been dedicated to collecting the works of twentieth century artists. In the museum’s early days, these included pieces by Miriam Shapiro, Agnes Martin, Ellsworth Kelly, and Larry Bell, many of which have works that are still on display to this day. Throughout the years, the collection has only expanded, incorporating more modern artists and highlighting artists of different countries that often don’t get as much recognition as their American contemporaries.

Since the recent renovation, each room in the art gallery represents a particular period of art or a specific movement, showcasing select works from the relevant time period. Rooms may also be themed around a particular artist’s work, a given subject material, or other similarities between works of different decades, showing how artists have sought to depict and influence social movements throughout the years.

Galleries focus on innovative and abstract uses of artwork and various mediums in telling stories and conveying meaning.

Avoid any unnecessary headaches on your relaxing San Diego vacation or weekend trip to the museum by considering these tips when planning your day.

Free Days

If you’re traveling on a budget, consider taking advantage of the museum’s free days, which are the second Sunday and third Thursday of every month.

Be Respectful of the Art

Exhibits at the museum are not interactive, and no touching of the artwork is permitted to prevent potential damage. Visitors may take photographs, but most exhibits prohibit guests from taking videos. Breaking these rules could result in ejection from the museum without a refund.

Where to Park and How to Get to the Museum

Museum visitors may park for free in front of the museum and on the adjoining streets for up to two hours.

If you don’t have a car, San Diego does offer ride shares such as Uber and Lyft. You can also reach the museum via one of San Diego’s public buses, the MTS Bus Line #30.