This morning, The Broad hosted an event to commence their $100-million expansion project. The construction will add 70% more gallery space and 55,000-square-feet to the original building just in time for the 2028 Summer Olympics. But what does this new addition mean for LA’s art scene?
“Our mission is really about creating as much access to art as possible, so the expansion helps us accomplish that. But at the same time, we didn’t want to just copy and paste exactly what we were already doing in the existing building in terms of design or even in terms of showing art. So in the expansion, you’re going to see media art in more depth,” said Joanne Heyler, the Broad’s Founding Director and President.
“In the expansion, you’re going to experience outdoor courtyards on the top floor that are open to the sky. So you’ll go from that beautiful skylit space on the third floor of our building right into these actual open to the sky courtyards.”
The expansion is rooted in The Broad’s founding mission: making art as accessible as possible for Angelenos, Heyler says. With the new galleries opening onto the Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill Metro Station, the museum hopes to draw in people from all corners of the city and revamp downtown’s creative scene.
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass also spoke to what the new project means for the city.
“This expansion will further cement Los Angeles as an international hub for arts and culture, driving more jobs and economic opportunities through the museum and in the surrounding cultural district and throughout our city,” said Bass.
Coupled with Bass’ speech were live performances from Medusa, a major influence of West Coast Hip Hop, as well a local mariachi band. The flavorful beats brought to life what the Broad hopes to accomplish -- sharing art with the public.
Patrick Martinez, L.A. native is one of The Broads featured artists and believes the efforts by the museum to expand its reach through the new project could be life-changing for some.
“I think that a world class Museum, along with like, you know, the visitors that that eight year old, that 10 year old, that 12 year old, that come and understand the work or they’re, they don’t understand any they want to understand it. And it changed, changes, kind of the course of where they might end up. I know that happened with me earlier, early on,” said Martinez.
While the expansion reflects a new chapter for The Broad, it remains grounded in their roots. The addition will be designed by the same New-York based firm which designed the original building, Diller Scofidio + Renfro.
Once finished, the space will be used for more art, but also for guests to convene and relax during their visit.
Until then, the museum remains open to the public with free general admission