The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA

The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA offers one of Los Angeles's most distinctive settings for experiencing contemporary art. Located at 152 N Central Ave in the heart of downtown's Little Tokyo neighborhood, this expansive museum space occupies a former police car warehouse that has been transformed into a remarkable venue for large-scale contemporary art installations and exhibitions. Originally opened as a temporary exhibition space in 1983 while the main MOCA building was under construction, the venue proved so popular and architecturally significant that it became a permanent part of the Museum of Contemporary Art's footprint, later renamed to honor entertainment mogul David Geffen following his substantial donation to the institution. As part of MOCA, The Geffen Contemporary focuses on presenting challenging and innovative contemporary art from both established and emerging artists. The museum's programming emphasizes work created from the 1940s to the present, with particular attention to artists who are pushing boundaries and exploring new directions in visual art. Visitors can expect to encounter a diverse range of media including painting, sculpture, photography, video, installation art, and performance. The venue frequently hosts major survey exhibitions, site-specific installations, and shows that require the kind of generous spatial proportions that the building uniquely provides within MOCA's collection of spaces. The physical experience of visiting The Geffen Contemporary is unlike most traditional museum settings. The raw, industrial architecture features soaring ceilings, exposed beams, and over 40,000 square feet of exhibition space that allows artists to present work on an ambitious scale. The warehouse aesthetic, with its concrete floors and abundant natural light filtering through clerestory windows, creates an atmosphere that feels both intimate and monumental. This stripped-down environment lets the art take center stage while the building's character adds its own layer of architectural interest. The generous proportions mean that even during busy periods, visitors typically have room to contemplate the work without feeling crowded, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a more contemplative and immersive art experience in Los Angeles.