Along South Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles, The Broad’s white lattice exterior design glimmers in the sunlight, much like LA itself, radiating the same energy that draws people to this city from all over.
Sophisticated architechture of the ceiling of The Broad Museum. Photographed by Aaron Fu/BruinLife.
Whether you were born and raised in LA or are completely new to the area, unfamiliarity is inevitable. But in this vast, restless city, The Broad is one of those places that can help you feel a little more at ease and a little more at home. Step inside and you’ll find more than contemporary art, but a place where creativity, community and curiosity flow freely.
The elevator in the tunnel leading up to the Broad Museum show room. Photographed by Aaron Fu/BruinLife.
A cultural breath of fresh air
For the students who spend their days buried in textbooks, drowning in problem sets or stuck in lecture halls, The Broad is your chance to encounter creativity that doesn’t require prior knowledge or expertise – just curiosity.
The Broad’s free admission makes it a rare gift in LA because it doesn’t hold any expectations from its guests except their presence. Reserve your ticket on their website and prepare to experience the calm and spacious rooms that were made for wandering around with friends or sitting quietly with your own thoughts.
Tourists interacting with the artworks "Blue Balloon Dog" and "Rabbit" by Jeff Koons, two of the signiture art pieces of The Broad Museum. Photographed by Aaron Fu/BruinLife.
The Broad’s art collection includes works from artists who challenge and inspire others in the best ways. Even if you don’t consider yourself a person too fond of art, the museum encourages you to see, feel and think of art from a new perspective.
The artwork "Tulips" by Jeff Koons placed at the center of the museum as on eof the signature pieces of The Broad Museum. Photographed by Aaron Fu/BruinLife.
One of the many fascinating works you’ll find is Hank Willis Thomas’ piece, “America.” At first glance, the red and white pattern resembles a maze. But when you move closer, you realize Thomas dismantles the United States flag and refigures the red and white stripes to spell the word “America.”
The artwork "America" (1965) by Ed Ruscha. Photographed by Aaron Fu/BruinLife.
America, a country built on ideals of freedom and opportunity, is portrayed as a maze you must navigate. Its shape indicates that belonging here isn’t a straight line, rather it’s a journey full of turns, pauses and redirection.
When you stand before this piece, notice how the maze carries both confusion and possibility, how it mirrors the paths we walk in LA and how it illustrates the ones we’re still mapping out for ourselves. A sense of belonging isn’t something you find right away, but it’s something you discover by moving forward until the maze begins to feel like a map, leading you to the destination of a place that feels like yours.
Make LA your new home
College can feel disorienting, especially in a city as culturally dense and geographically scattered as Los Angeles. However, visiting The Broad offers more than a place for viewing artwork; it provides a sense of connection. It is a reminder that you belong, not only at UCLA, but in the broader ecosystem of the city, one full of diverse stories and creative expressions.
For international students missing home, first-years learning to adapt to the quarter system, transfers trying to smoothly transition into their new college routine or seniors simply wanting to see LA from a new perspective, The Broad creates an accessible bridge into the flow of the city. It turns what feels unfamiliar into something shared.
A museum that’s home to everyone
The next time you’re looking for a weekend plan, a mental break or a way to explore beyond Westwood, come visit The Broad. Let the architecture astonish you, let the art challenge you and let the atmosphere remind you that you have a place here.
If Los Angeles often feels divided by freeways, wealth or distance, The Broad reminds us that culture can bridge those gaps. It invites locals and visitors to look around and see themselves reflected in the art, the space and each other. It is a place where true beauty lies – one that belongs to everyone.
In the city known for chasing dreams, fostering innovation and promoting inclusivity, The Broad stands as a reminder that belonging begins with one open door – and all you have to do is walk right through it.
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Featured Image Photographed by Aaron Fu/BruinLife
