MOLAA might be located on land that once housed the Balboa Amusement Producing Company, the most productive silent film studio of its day, but history is conspicuous by its absence: from the building in which it's housed to the art contained within it, this is a forward-thinking enterprise. Founded in 1996, MOLAA was expanded in 2007 by architect Manuel Rosen, whose eye-catching additions to the museum more than doubled its total exhibition space and added a tidy sculpture garden.
The core of the permanent collection is in the Long Gallery, with work by one artist from every Latin American country. A little more captioning detail would be useful, especially since the majority of the artists will be unfamiliar, but plenty of the pieces speak for themselves: look out, in particular, for El Salvadorean artist César Menéndez's slightly mysterious Canción al Silencio ('Song to Silence'). A range of temporary shows and a program of special events provide added interest; as does the Viva Café, which offers Latino interpretations of American classics (chicken caesar salad with black beans and a chipotle-tinged vinaigrette). A nice day out.
Museum of Latin American Art

Time Out says
Details
- Address:
- 628 Alamitos Avenue
- Long Beach
- 90802
- Contact:
- View Website
- 562-437-1689
- Price:
- $10 general admission, $7 seniors/students, children under 12 free
- Opening hours:
- Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun 11am-5pm; Fri 11am-9pm
- Do you own this business?
- Sign in & claim business
Discover Time Out original video
Â