Craft Contemporary

Three Floors of Making and Looking

Craft Contemporary spreads across three floors in a renovated 1930 building designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood. The ground floor holds the museum shop and often features smaller installations or maker-in-residence programs. Stairs or an elevator lead to the main exhibition galleries on the second and third floors.

The museum has no permanent collection. Every few months brings new exhibitions focused on specific artists, techniques, or themes. Recent shows have explored mid-century designers Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman, olfactory art installations, and works by California Community Foundation fellowship recipients. Exhibitions typically feature 20-40 works, making for a focused rather than overwhelming visit.

Gallery labels provide context about materials and processes. You might learn how an artist sources clay from a specific region, why certain weaving patterns require months of planning, or how metalworkers achieve particular surface finishes. The educational approach assumes visitors care about how things get made, not just how they look when finished.

Hands-On Programs

The museum runs workshops nearly every weekend. Monthly Maker Nights take place in the outdoor courtyard or occasionally on Zoom, led by visiting artists teaching specific techniques. Recent sessions covered paper orchid construction, stained glass from recycled materials, and hand-rolled incense making.

Craft Lab Family Workshops happen on weekend afternoons, designed for ages 7 and up. These tie into current exhibitions but simplify techniques for mixed-age groups. Past workshops included making personal storybook theaters and clay representations inspired by featured artists.

For deeper skill-building, the museum offers half-day and full-day workshops in techniques like blacksmithing, natural dyeing, and printmaking. These typically cost $50-85 and require advance registration. A free teen program called Craft Youth Culture runs 20 weeks during the school year, pairing high school students with exhibiting artists.

The Museum Shop

The ground-floor shop carries handmade objects from local and international makers. Inventory changes with exhibitions but typically includes ceramics, textiles, jewelry, and small home goods. Items range from $15 bookmarks to $200+ art pieces. The shop reflects founder Edith Wyle’s original vision for The Egg and The Eye gallery: introducing LA audiences to contemporary craft from around the world.

Purchases support both the artists and museum operations. Members receive 10% discounts.

Planning Your Visit

The museum takes 45-60 minutes to see if you focus on exhibitions, longer if you browse the shop or attend a program. Visit on Sunday for pay-what-you-wish admission. The first Thursday of each month offers extended evening hours from 12pm-8pm.

Location on Museum Row means you can combine your visit with the La Brea Tar Pits, Page Museum, or LACMA, all within a few blocks. Limited metered street parking fills quickly on weekends. The Wilshire Courtyard garage charges $3 per 12 minutes but closes on weekends, making weekday visits easier for parking.

The building is wheelchair accessible with an elevator serving all three floors. Staff can provide a wheelchair if needed. Bathrooms are single-occupancy and gender-neutral. The museum allows photos without flash.