USC Fisher Museum of Art

Entrance faces Exposition Blvd. Only one gallery open to the public, rotating exhibits. Nice quiet sculpture garden and benches out front. Makes a nice addition to a visit to the Rose Garden or Science Center (both also free).

I visited the Fisher Museum last weekend with my family to check out the Triumph of Philippine Art. What a terrific little quiet place in the middle of this busy urban campus. The museum itself was difficult to find as there was a fair amount of construction and very little in the way of clear signage. I just knew that it was near the south end of school. Thankfully google maps showed me the way or we would have been circling the campus.
The museum and its exhibits are free. Very kid-​friendly as museums go. The attendant even checked our skateboards, which was nice.
On weekends, which is when we went, there is ample amount of metered street parking at $ 1/​hour. That’s a helluva lot cheaper than on campus parking.

I agree with other Unilocalers, that the Fisher is sadly under-​utilized by the larger USC student body and faculty.
That being said, it is an oasis for anyone who is on campus and wants a break from academia or the returning «rah-​rah» alumni. It also is a good compliment to the other group of museums across Exposition. It features work by both established and emerging Southern Californian artists it is one of my places to take visiting out-​of towners that want to see more than MOCA’s or LACMA’s greatest hits
I enjoy that the Fisher offers a serious first venue for USC students. The group shows of LA based artists are well curated. What they exhibit is relevant and their collection is surprising good for a university-​based institution.
It is worth a visit for sure!

Fisher is rather underrated among the USC student body. Most people never come here, whether for lack or interest or lack of awareness or difficulty finding the place. True, it is rather secluded. But if you can get to it, you should really enjoy the collections. They do a great job of exhibiting student work. I noticed a few of my friends’ works on display — little did I know some of them had artistic talents!
Check out it and tell the people you know. More people ought to visit.

Not the best gallery at a top-​ranked university. It offers a lot of events and is generous to the public. It’s not a bad place to hang out at a university with a big Greek scene and sports scene. I think it makes a nice effort, but needs an extra push. Serves fine arts students and handles modern art. It’s not always going to have the best art showings because the USC does not have the best art department. It’s welcoming.

The Fisher Gallery is a hidden treasure on Exposition, right at the edge of the USC campus. Stop by for a quick browse through the latest exhibition, spend an afternoon perusing their collection, or go hear a talk or poetry reading in the evening, complete with refreshments. Afterwards, stroll outside to take in the building itself and enjoy the socal sun. There are fountains in front of the gallery and just around the corner, and tons of quiet grassy nooks to sit under a tree and read or nap.
Admission to everything is free!