Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:700 Prospect St.
La Jolla, California
Tel:
(858) 454-3541
The Museum of Contemporary Art in San Diego (MCASD) is one of the West Coast's greatest displays of contemporary art. Focusing on the collection, preservation, and exhibition of post-war works of art, the museum's goal is to cultivate a greater understanding of contemporary art.
Founded as a community art center in 1941 as the Art Center in La Jolla, the museum was housed in what was once Ellen Browning Scripps' San Diego residence. In the 1970s, the museum reorganized and refocused on contemporary art, changing its name in 1990 to the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, as it is known today, and opening another branch downtown.
The Museum of Contemporary Art in San Diego's permanent collection includes over 4,000 works created in the last half century, representing painting, sculpture, photography, video, and film. The museum is known for its encouragement of lesser known artists, and collection of works by under recognized great achievers. The minimalism and pop art exhibits at the museum are particularly noteworthy, as well as the conceptual art collection, the installation art, as well as their Latin American collection. Make sure to check out the museum if you are a fan of Latin American art from the California/Tijuana region—you'll be delighted by the vast selection!
The museum itself is perched on a cliff and offers a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. Many of the museum's works were created with the museum in mind, and are site specific, complementing the gorgeous view. The museum usually schedules 10-15 exhibitions a year, keeping the museum's content fresh and deserving of repeat visits.
Admission to the Museum of Contemporary Art in San Diego will not only grant admission to La Jolla, but is also good for seven days as admission to the Museum's downtown branch. The museum boasts a great café and bookstore as well.
From Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego La Jolla - California:
The permanent collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, includes more than 3,000 works created after 1950, representing all media and genres: painting, sculpture, works on paper, photography, video, film, and installation. MCASD is known for collecting works by promising emerging artists and under-recognized mid-career artists, as well as by major figures in contemporary art.