LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes

I truly enjoyed this community Museum/​Art Gallery. The museum also has a very nice gift shop. The art lining the walls on the 1^st floor was humbling with real people so to speak from the community (Activist, Homeless advocates, etc) that’s made a difference in the lives & well being of others. Also, the staff here are wonderful & pleasant from the moment we entered their doors to when we exited the bldg. The interior is very chic & well maintained. The bathrooms had a beautiful orange cream fragrance coming out of the vents «lovely place». They also have nice venues scheduled here & grounds surrounding the museum.

From grades 1 to 12, you learn U.S. History, but it’s always the same history, the same America, the same perspective. Museums like LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes gives you a narrative that is rarely told but deserves to be heard.
And hearing it won’t cost a thing because the museum is free. Although donations are suggested, the front desk person did not make us feel pressured. Any amount is accepted.
First floor: Artifacts and exhibits follow Mexican-​American history from the early ranchero days to American integration, forced deportation by the government, and the fight for labor rights. Mexican-​American entrepreneurs, actors, and important figures in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries are also highlighted.
Second floor: A movie-​set-​like street is lined with stores you can actually walk in. From an herbal pharmacy to a clothing shop, each room is an interactive cultural exhibit that gives you a glimpse into another life and another time.
The exhibits are well-​curated and expertly arranged for an effective user experience. The first floor informs while the second places the visitor in someone else’s shoes.
Much like the Japanese-​American Museum in the adjacent district, the LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes museum tells another story from a viewpoint that may not be mainstream, but without it, the history of America would not be complete.

Great place to enjoy a Saturday. We had the opportunity to visit several museums, try some local foods, and spend time enjoying the entertainment.
I even had the opportunity to visit the first house built in Los Angeles. If you are looking for something to do check out what is going on here on the weekends.
Be prepared for large amounts of people, lines for most food venues, some crowding around venders, and parking starts at $ 10 – 20. Hopefully you can find street parking to save some cash for food. :)

Quite a disappointing experience. The exhibits were dull and boilerplate. The historic narrative of the exhibits struck me as very superficial. Scholarly rigor was lacking. Nothing I saw here was beyond boilerplate agitprop you’d find in a high school textbook. Given the controversies about Indian grave sites and how insensitively that was handled, I guess I should not be surprised.
The structure itself was another disappointment. I’d wished they kept more of the historic interior. Alas, it appears the interior was simply gutted. So much of the place seemed to be built as a setting for politicos to gather and pat themselves on the back.
Management of the place seemed slipshod and lackadaisical. With all the foot traffic on Olvera Street with tourists, you’d figure the place would be busy. Nope. Quiet as a library. The gift shop was another disappointment. With so many superb local artists, you’d assume this would be a nifty resource. Nope. Another missed opportunity. Everyone working here seemed to be watching the clock. A place like this needs to be guided by passion.
What I’d hoped the place was going to do was tell the stories of individuals and their story of coming to Los Angeles and becoming Angelenos. Years ago in NZ, I came across this kind of museum and it was truly wonderful. The potential to tell the stories of Latino LA is immense. Regrettably, that hasn’t happened here.

What a neat little place by Olvera Street in DTLA!!! There is so much to do in the Plaza– there are at least 6 museums (ok, they’re pretty small, but still), an old historic church, and the Metro is right there so its easy to get to and from. There are lots of little shops and restaurants too.
It was a great place to spend the day and to interact with Los Angeles Heritage!

I was pleasantly surprised. Anyone who is Mexican or of Mexican descent should come to this museum. It will give you the history of how, why, where, when, and who was part of this area that was once called upper California and how that marked history for Mexican American culture. I thought I new a lot on my Mexican American heritage and culture but this museum gave me so much more. I came out of there more walking with my head held high. The great part is that the entrance is free but they ask for at least a $ 2.00 donation. Which is chump change compared to what you are going to learn as soon as you walk through the doors.

A free museum ($ 1 suggested donation).
This museum is rather new, adorned with large san-​serif banners and colorful gates. The entrance is beyond the gate past an outside area with a tables. You’ll be greeted by someone at the front desk who will explain the etiquette and what not. Hand-​held bags are to be put in a cubby near the entrance, so be wary of that. No flash photography, of course.
The museum itself is rather big. It’s more of a center than a large-​scale museum. The captions to the displays are backlit, there is a large projection of texas, audio tours, and a story booth.
It’s a much-​needed museum for understanding Mexican-​American history. It’s LA, gosh darn it.

This place was beautiful. I was here last night in attendance for the TASTE OF MEXICO event. This garden was absolutely beautiful and enclosed with such a beautiful gate even! The restrooms were conveniently located and easily accessible, they were also kept very clean. This little garden area where the event was held had personality and really was a perfect location for last nights evening. I will definitely add this venue to my list of places to visit again. Next time I visit I’m going to visit the inside and check out the history within.
Thumbs up for having the Taste of Mexico there last night. :)

Beautiful space featuring Latin American Arts. The occasion of my visit was the 3^rd Annual The Taste of Mexico — a showcase of some of LAs best Mexican Restaurants. The event was well organized, allowing for easy access to all food and drink booths. Live mariachi music throughout the event made this festival quite festive.

Now Free! (donations accpeted) Great museum to learn about Southern California’s history and its history of the people that first settled the southern part of this great state.
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes is a very clean up to date museum that shows the history of the Mexican culture in Southern California with special focus on Los Angeles. What is cool about this museum is that most of the Los Angeles history its displays is right outside of the building. such as the Pico house, Olvera st. etc. So once you are done reading about the people that settled in downtown LA you can actually walk right outside and go see the actually buildings that the people lived in as well as sample some authentic mexican food. If you really want to feel the experience go visit the first mexican café right there in Olvera st.
There are 3 levels to this museum with one level that is just dedicated to a hands on experience where you can touch and feel as well as dress the part of people of the time. There was also an outside area that had a kids section as well as a stage with live performances.
Staff were very friendly and helpful and unlike other museums they give you a glimpse of what to expect before entering. There is parking all around this area, you can expect to pay about $ 10.00 on average or if you ride the train take it to union station and do the short walk to the the plaza.

Important part of our history… I Strongly recommend it. You can also enjoy La Plazita across the street.

Pretty cool; 2^nd floor (Calle Principal) is really cool, made up to look like Main St. Los Angeles in the 1920’s. Its free so thats even better.

This Museum has lots to see about the Mexican American Latin Culture! It’s walking distance from Olvera Street or better known as La Placita and it’s not expensive to get in. I get updates from them all the time because i’m on their email list and they are constantly having different monthly events. It’s also a great place to spend the day and then walk down the street and get some great Mexican food!

I went to the museum today March 31, 2013. There were only 2 of us visiting (about 1 p.m.). Soon after 3 – 4 people showed up. There seems to be a reason besides access, cost (parking fee???), or location that keeps people from visiting. See also my Review dated 3÷29÷13.
For me there is a cultural barrier that exists between the community and the museum. Visitors from the Church next door or Olvera Street do not enter the museum grounds. I could understand some or many people not being interested or wanting to bother, but virtually everyone? How does the museum go out into the community and connect with the people? It looks like the museum needs to earn it’s audience rather than just keeping it’s doors open. Perhaps an advisory committee from the community could help suggest worthwhile ideas and spur interest.
ps: This was my 4^th visit and audience was poor all visits.

I really enjoyed the museum. It’s new and has lots of potential. It was informative and inspiring. Being able to add our own tidbit to the video mosaic was fun!

clean impeccable bathroom on 2^nd floor.
student i. d $ 7
closes at 7 pm
A.C ON FULL BLAST = bring a sweater
4+ hours spent here. so yes, theres a bunch of stuff here.
i just wish that there was more :
coverage on pre war l.a. & cholo «lets go cruising down whittier blvd».
but thats just me.
& less stuff on mid 70’s/ mecha political stuff.
video commentary by mr moctezuma esparza, display quote by paula crisostomo, & my uncle el toro fernando is honored.
glad i came, will return!
take the gold line & cross the st.

This museum is important for everyone who wants to understand Mexican-​American, Chicano, Latino culture in the US particularly Los Angeles. I loved this museum and brought my father and sister here. All of us are US born and aren’t the best Mexicanos culturally speaking but felt this museum gave a voice to Chicano culture. Within walking distance to Olvera Street so you can soak up more culture via food, items, clothing. Love, love LOVE it! Go now!

Cool museum! Viva Mexico!