Southern California museums will open their doors for free on Sunday, February 22, as part of the annual Museums Free-for-All, a tradition now in its twenty-first year. The event, organized by SoCal Museums, aims to make arts and culture accessible to everyone across the region, from Santa Barbara to Palm Springs.
Nearly 30 museums are participating, offering free general admission. However, organizers advise visitors to arrive early, as the event typically draws large crowds. Parking fees will still apply at most locations, and the free admission does not extend to specially ticketed exhibitions.
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles is among the participating institutions, with exhibits including “Jaws: The Exhibition,” “Inventing Worlds and Characters,” and displays dedicated to “The Oscars” and “The Godfather.” The museum anticipates high demand and suggests preparing for potential wait times.
The American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA) in Pomona requires advanced reservations, which can be made through their website, amoca.org. The Autry Museum of the American West, likewise in Los Angeles, similarly requires reservations via theautry.org.
Several museums offer free admission year-round, including the Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College, the California African American Museum in Los Angeles, the Fowler Museum at UCLA, the Getty Center, the Getty Villa, the Hammer Museum, the Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, and the Wende Museum in Culver City. The Getty Center and Villa require reservations even on free days.
The California Botanic Garden in Claremont also requires free advance tickets, available at calbg.org. Bowers Museum in Santa Ana will waive general admission fees for the day, allowing visitors to experience their current exhibition, “Global Threads: India’s Textile Revolution,” before it closes on April 5.
Other participating museums include the Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downey, Craft Contemporary in Los Angeles, La Brea Tar Pits & Museum, the Long Beach Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), the Skirball Cultural Center, and Santa Barbara Museum of Art. The Long Beach Museum of Art is requesting visitors order free advance tickets at eventbrite.com/e/long-beach-museum-of-art-tickets-1685839524399.
Cristian Hamilton, President of SoCal Museums and Vice President of Advancement at the Autry Museum of the American West, stated that the Museums Free-for-All has grow a “community touchstone,” encouraging visitors to explore the diverse cultural experiences available in Southern California. A complete calendar of participating museums and any reservation requirements can be found at socalmuseums.net/free.