The LA Arts Scene: 15 Must-See Recommendations from Those Who Live and Work There 

LA is one of the most incredibly diverse cities in the world, and its art reflects that. Whether you’re interested in classical painting or sculpture, interior design and architecture, or cutting-edge contemporary works, artists in LA often draw from lived experience and identity. You’ll find experimental, globally influential, and decentralized works (all at once), from Chicano muralism in East LA to Korean contemporary art in Koreatown to Black cultural spaces like Destination Crenshaw.  

There is so much art to experience in the city, it may be hard to decide where to begin. To help, we tapped into our resources and reached out to those who live, work, and create in the City of Angels. Read on for some locals-recommended top things to do in Los Angeles for art lovers! 

1. The LA Arts District 

Inna Chebeliuk, CEO and executive planner at Nexa Events, knows a thing or two about the arts scene in LA, so when she offered up some recommendations, we were all ears. Her company specializes in curating a wide variety of events, from fashion shows and community-driven events to art exhibitions and cultural festivals. “Our extensive experience organizing these events gives us a unique insight into LA’s vibrant and diverse art scene,” she says. “One of the standout features of LA’s art scene is its blend of street art, gallery showcases, and community-driven projects.” 

“For those visiting or living in LA, we highly recommend checking out the Arts District, known for its murals, galleries, and artistic culture (as well as smaller community-driven spaces that celebrate local talent).” The district is located on the eastern edge of downtown LA (DTLA). Keep in mind that parking can be tight; if you want to avoid dealing with it, you can take the Gold Line to the Little Tokyo/Arts District Station. It’s also a very bike- and scooter-friendly area.  

2. LA Art Show 

“For art lovers interested in upcoming events, LA is never short on exhibitions and festivals,” says Chebeliuk. “The LA Art Show is a must-see for anyone interested in contemporary art.” Highlights include DIVERSEartLA: A special section of the show dedicated to spotlighting underrepresented voices and promoting diversity in the arts. The fair also includes galleries and artists from various countries, capturing the global nature of LA’s contemporary arts scene. The event is held annually at the LA Convention Center, typically in late January or early February. (This year’s 30th anniversary show was held from February 19-23, 2025. The 2026 show is scheduled for January 7-11.) It attracts a massive audience of global curators, collectors, and art enthusiasts—this year’s attendance was estimated at around 70,000! 

3. Rose Bowl Flea Market 

Eddie Mickenberg is a local interior design expert who shared with us his unique perspective on the LA art scene, lauding “the beauty of people from all around the world, from different backgrounds, nationalities, and experiences, creating art which isn’t made for people necessarily to buy, but because the artists genuinely love what they create.” The result, he says, is that there is always a fresh style based on the artist. “Art is also not meant to speak to everyone, so there will always be a fan of a piece of art that speaks to the viewer personally.”  

“I have lived in LA for 16, almost 17 years and have been to all of the art museums, trade shows, galleries, etc. because I also source art for projects,” he continued. “But, for some reason, I love going to the Rose Bowl Flea market—which is an unorthodox place for luxury or high-end items—but a great place to see who the up-and-coming artists are. The inspiration and talent in that arena are unmatched because these are entrepreneurial artists who represent themselves in the beginning stages. They take the chance to display their work because they believe in their work, and so do I. I constantly take business cards from them, too, or follow their work on Instagram.” 

Good to know: “The Rose Bowl Flea Market is held on the second Sunday of every month,” says Mickenberg. “I could not recommend it enough for locals or tourists. Just try and get there early because it gets PACKED. It’s that awesome!” 

4. The Pasadena Showcase House  

“This is another event that happens once a year, which is great if you are into interior design, touring an estate filled with talented designers in the community,” says Mickenburg. “It’s a home and garden tour showcasing innovative design trends through the transformation of a local historic estate by interior and landscape designers.” Proceeds benefit the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts, a nonprofit organization supporting local arts and music programs, including musical theater, orchestras, jazz ensembles, and even marching bands and choral groups in local schools. The event is usually held each spring from mid-April to mid-May. This year’s event was open to the public from April 20 to May 18. 

5. Culver City Arts District (CCAD) 

“For art lovers, I highly recommend exploring the Culver City Arts District for contemporary galleries,” says Anna Vasiltsova, another local design expert and the founder of Anna Design LA. “One of my personal favorites is the Apparatus gallery—it’s a constant source of inspiration for my design work, with its bold, sculptural approach to lighting and interiors.” In addition to its concentration of contemporary art galleries, you’ll also find creative businesses and eclectic dining and shopping options throughout the district. 

6. The Getty Center  

“The Getty Center is another must-visit, not just for its impressive art collection, but also for its breathtaking architecture and panoramic views,” suggests Vasiltsova. You’ll find works by Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Titian as well as rotating exhibitions highlighting global art movements and photography. The Central Garden located on the property is a stunning living sculpture complete with a stream, azalea maze, and over 500 plant varieties!  

Good to know: The center is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am to 5:30 pm, but is closed on Mondays and major holidays. Admission is free! 

7. Art + Practice  

“I live in West Hollywood, and I can confidently say LA’s art scene doesn’t run on just galleries or collectors. It runs on the artists themselves,” says Erwin Gutenkunst, president and owner of Neolithic Materials. “You’ve got people out here who aren’t waiting for permission—they’re using old warehouses, parking garages, even their cars to show work!” Gutenkunst says spaces like Art + Practice in Leimert Park support that creative ethos. “The space is currently showcasing J. Yolande Daniels: To A Future Space-Time, running from April 5 to September 6, 2025. This is Daniels’ first solo exhibition, and it’s a powerful exploration of how Black communities have redefined space and time on their own terms. She uses tools like atlases, glossaries, and timelines, not as historical records, but as mediums to challenge dominant narratives and highlight the resilience of Black spatial practices. The exhibition is co-presented with the California African American Museum and curated by Zion Estrada, who brings a thoughtful, layered perspective to the show. If you’re interested in how architecture, memory, and resistance intersect, this exhibition is a must-see!”  

8. Destination Crenshaw 

“Same with Destination Crenshaw,” continues Gutenkunst. “That’s a 1.3-mile-long public art corridor honoring Black LA, not a temporary exhibit but a permanent part of the landscape. This blend of cultural depth and social commentary gives the scene an edge you don’t see in the more commercially driven art cities.” At the heart of Destination Crenshaw is its commitment to art as a means of storytelling and community empowerment. 

9. Boyle Heights and Leimert Park 

“What makes the LA art scene so special is that it truly reflects the diversity and energy of the city,” says Daisy Cabral, dynamic CEO of LA’s Bella All Natural. “LA isn’t just about big-name galleries or museums, although those are amazing. It’s also about the local murals in Boyle Heights, the installations in Leimert Park, and the creative voices that appear in unexpected places. You’ll find artists from every background sharing their perspective, whether it’s through street art, photography, or performance. It’s raw, it’s bold, and it’s always evolving!”  

10. Downtown LA Art Walk 

“One event I’m looking forward to is the Downtown LA Art Walk,” says Cabral. It’s an event that happens monthly, typically on the second Thursday, within the Arts District—but the district itself is a larger area with various art galleries, restaurants, and other businesses. It’s a great way to experience everything from gallery openings to live art and food trucks. It feels like a block party celebrating creativity!” she says. “That’s what I love about this city: there’s always something fresh to discover and someone new to support. Art in LA is more than just visuals, it’s a movement, a conversation, and honestly, a big part of why I love living here.” 

11. Highland and Echo Park Art Walks 

As CEO of Care Homecare, Moti Gamburd’s appreciation for the art scene in LA leans heavily on how it can heal. “Living and working in Los Angeles, I can attest that art spills into sidewalks, community centers, and care homes alike,” she says. “What makes the city’s creative scene stand out is how reachable it feels.”  

The Highland and Echo Park Art Walks are good examples. Once a year (typically in April), the Echo Park neighborhood is transformed into a dynamic artistic landscape thanks to The Echo Park Walk (also known as Public Displays of Art, or PDA). This one-day festival showcases diverse works and participatory art experiences from local artists and performers. While not a formal “art walk” event, Hollywood’s Highland Avenue is a walkable corridor providing art enthusiasts access to several notable modern and contemporary art galleries within a short distance. “We often guide our seniors through these local walks where installations sit right in front of family-owned shops,” says Gamburd. “There’s something about stumbling across art in the wild that wakes up a part of the mind routine care can’t always touch.”  

12. Angelus Plaza 

“We also visit Angelus Plaza,” continues Gamburd, “where seniors contribute to public mosaics that stay up year-round.” The Plaza is truly one of the most unique and poignant places to enjoy art in the city! In addition to being the largest affordable senior housing community in the US, it actively hosts art exhibitions and events that reflect the diverse backgrounds of its residents. The on-site gallery regularly features new installations, such as a Korean Art Exhibit, and showcases works exploring aging in working-class and immigrant neighborhoods in LA. Additionally, Angelus Plaza hosts various cultural events, including Asian cultural festivals, Mother’s Day concerts, and senior talent shows.  

“It’s not about teaching art; it’s about reminding them that their hands and history still shape the city,” says Gamburd. “One of our clients with early-stage dementia became more verbal after helping tile a mural that now overlooks a nearby park. These are forms of validation that don’t come from clinical settings.”  

13. NoHo Summer Nights Series 

“Our team is preparing for the NoHo Summer Nights series,” says Gamburd. “Specifically, the 2025 season offers outdoor concerts and art that showcases emerging artists and vendors in an accessible, family-friendly space at North Hollywood Park on the corner of Magnolia and Tujunga, next to the Amelia Erhart Library.” The series is another excellent example of how professionals like her use art to heal. “It typically runs on Saturday nights during the summer season from July through August,” she says. “There, seniors enjoy the mix of music and visual storytelling without the pressure of museum etiquette. Even just sitting in the middle of it all, with music in the air and people passing by, reminds them they have a life worth living.”  

14. Self Help Graphics & Art (SHG)  

As executive director of Mission Prep Healthcare, Aja Chavez also leans into LA’s art scene as a source of healing, particularly for adolescents and families who are challenged by teen mental health issues. “What makes LA’s art scene unique is how it reflects the city’s diversity through healing and expression,” she says, “I’ve seen firsthand how community art programs in places like Self Help Graphics & Art have transformed lives through creative therapy.” Established by Sister Karen Boccalero, a Franciscan nun and trained artist, SHG provides arts education and a platform for Chicana/o and Latinx residents in East LA to create and share their work.  

15. The Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC) 

“Also, for art lovers seeking something meaningful, I suggest visiting the Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC) in Venice, where I recently attended a powerful exhibition combining mental health awareness with community murals,” says Chavez. Like SHG, SPARC emerged from LA’s Chicano art movement in the 1970s as a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to creating, preserving, and promoting public art that fosters civic dialogue, social justice, and community engagement. 

While Los Angeles has so much to offer in every capacity, its art scene is perhaps one of the most innovative in the country, or even the world. You’ll find classical and contemporary installations, groundbreaking works spotlighting underserved communities, and art exhibitions designed to serve on the cutting-edge of mental health treatments. Whether you’re exploring for the first time or are already a seasoned local, we hope this list provides you with a launching point for learning all about the arts scene in LA!