Insider’s Guide to the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA)

The Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach is a world-class art museum perfect for visitors interested in experiencing something new and seeing works of art that address contemporary issues and inspire deeper thinking.

Visitors can stroll the galleries to see the latest exhibits, bask in the sun in the sculpture garden, and shop a curated selection of housewares, clothing, jewelry, and toys in the gift store. Spend a few hours at the museum, then head to the nearby East Village Arts District in Downtown Long Beach or 4th Street’s Retro Row for dinner or drinks.

Tours & Exhibitions
Collections
Weddings, Meetings & Private Events
Events
Plan Your Visit
MOLAA Fun Facts

Tours & Exhibitions

MOLAA hosts exhibitions of contemporary and modern art by Latin American and Latinx artists, including photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, and other media.

The museum’s previous exhibits include Frida Kahlo: Through the Lens of Nickolas Muray with its intimate collection of approximately fifty portraits of Kahlo, ARTEÔNICA and its exploration of art shaped by science and technology from the 1960s to today, and Judy Baca: Memorias de Nuestra Tierra, a Retrospective, the first full retrospective celebrating the Chicana muralist’s work and community impact. The Portfolio Series, introduced in 2017, highlights masterworks from modern and contemporary artists across the Americas.

Visitors looking for a deeper experience can arrange a group tour for up to 45 people with advance notice. Organizations can also book virtual experiences, connecting teams through interactive tours on Zoom and 3D Kunstmatrix software that bring MOLAA’s galleries to life no matter where participants join from.

Collections

Explore the MOLAA's permanent collection that treats art as a living conversation. Each addition deepens the museum’s engagement with contemporary creators and broadens its exploration of cultural diversity and representation. The result is a collection that reflects the evolving perspectives of Latin American and Latinx artists.

Step into the Robert Gumbiner Sculpture & Events Garden, inaugurated in 2006, to experience one of the nation’s most significant collections of contemporary Latin American sculpture. The garden features more than fifteen abstract and figurative works, each representing a different Latin American country and creating an outdoor gallery that blends art with Southern California sun and open space.

Researchers, students, and anyone curious about Latin American Artists can turn to the MOLAA Zoom Project, an invaluable archive that puts leading Latin American and Latinx artists in conversation with MOLAA’s Chief Curator, Gabriela Urtiaga. Each chapter documents their conversations, providing insight, context, and personal reflections that help deepen understanding of the creators shaping today’s artistic landscape.

Credit: MOLAA

Weddings, Meetings & Private Events

Plan your next event in a setting where art, architecture, and atmosphere work together to elevate every occasion. The outdoor Robert Gumbiner Sculpture Garden & Events Center sets the scene with its natural backdrop, while the Viva room, gallery spaces, and smaller gathering areas create a mix of environments that suit everything from large celebrations to quieter moments. Weddings of all sizes feel at home here, and corporate events gain a distinctive setting that stays with attendees long after the day ends.

Events

MOLAA brings art and culture to life through hands-on workshops, engaging tours, and dynamic community programs that celebrate the stories and creativity of Latin American and Latinx artists. The museum offers weekly docent-led tours and year-round programming designed to engage visitors of all ages, while its annual festivals expand the experience with additional performances, workshops, and lively events throughout the galleries and grounds.

Credit: MOLAA
  • Dia de los Muertos Festival - Celebrate the Day of the Dead with art workshops, sugar skulls, vendor market, a Catrina/Catrín contest, live mariachi and ballet folklórico performances, and lively DJ sets.
  • Afro Latinx Festival - Experience the richness of Afro-Latinx culture through art workshops, live performances, food, and Afro-Latinx-owned vendors at this free family festival.
  • Latino Comics Expo - Connect with Latinx and Latin American comic artists, animators, experts, and fans at this expo featuring an artist alley, children’s workshops, engaging panels, and more.
  • AAPI Latinx Celebration - Explore the histories and cultures of Asian American and Pacific Islander Latinx communities through interactive events and programs.
  • Pride Month - Join art workshops, lectures, and gatherings highlighting LGBTQIA+ experiences across the U.S. and Latin America during Pride.
  • Latinx Heritage Month - Discover art, culture, food, and traditions through a series of programs and digital resources celebrating National Hispanic American Heritage Month.

Check the museum’s event calendar to find upcoming programs and festivals.

Plan Your Visit

Location

628 Alamitos Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802

Hours

  • Monday-Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday-Sunday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Tickets

Reservations are not required, but are recommended and can be made through the MOLAA website. Admission is free for everyone on Sundays.

Book Your Visit

MOLAA Fun Facts

  • The Museum of Latin American Art was founded in 1996 in Long Beach, California, by Dr. Robert Gumbiner.
  • MOLAA is the only museum in the United States exclusively dedicated to contemporary Latin American and Latino art.
  • The museum has doubled in size since its inception, adding a 15,000 sq. ft. sculpture garden.
  • The permanent collection now includes over 1,300 works representing more than 24 countries from the Americas and Latino artists living in the United States.
  • The Robert Gumbiner Sculpture & Events Garden, inaugurated in 2006, features an internationally recognized selection of contemporary Latin American sculpture.
Photo Credit: Susana Hinojosa
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