Hammer Museum Los Angeles
Lectures at the Museum
One of the best lecture halls in Los Angeles, the Armand Hammer Museum of Art and Culture Center of UCLA, or the Hammer Museum, is a cultural hub in Westwood. Operated by University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the museum hosts various cultural talks as well as influential and political art exhibits of the city.
Built in 1990, the Hammer Museum was founded by Armand Hammer, a wealthy oil CEO who loved art. He donated most of his collection to the permanent collection at the museum. The museum includes a collection of Impressionist art as well as Contemporary art.
Programs and free public events such as lectures, readings, films, and musical performances occur at the museum's Billy Wilder Theater. Check the museum website for current shows and lectures. There are summer jazz and music events at the Hammer.
The best exhibit I have attended was the art exhibit about the African-American experience. The museum often offer art that has political and humanistic statement.
For those Star Trek fans, Lenard Nimoy gave a talk about his new adventures in art called Secret Selves where art lovers and science fiction fans got to ask him questions about his post-acting career. The new Mr. Spock (Zachary Quinto) interviewed the old Mr. Spock.
Museum admission is FREE on Thursdays. Come for free talks and exhibits. The Museum is open every day, except Mondays, July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. There are free tours daily.
And yes, that's a picture of Leonard Nimoy.
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