California African American Museum, African American art and culture museum in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, United States.
The California African American Museum occupies a 44,000-square-foot building in Exposition Park, designed by African American architects Jack Haywood and Vince Proby. It contains three exhibition galleries, a theater gallery, a 14,000-square-foot sculpture court, a conference center, and an archive and research library. The permanent collection holds more than 6,300 objects, including paintings, photographs, sculpture, and artifacts ranging from African art to 19th-century landscape.
CAAM was chartered by the State of California in 1977 and first opened in 1981 in temporary quarters at the California Museum of Science and Industry. In 1984 it moved to its permanent home in Exposition Park, a building designed by African-American architects Jack Haywood and Vince Proby that opened during the Los Angeles Olympic Games. Its inaugural exhibition, The Black Olympians 1904-1984, was curated by historian Lonnie Bunch, later founding director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. A major renovation followed between 2001 and 2003.
The museum showcases the artistic work and stories of Black Californians whose contributions are often overlooked in broader narratives. Visitors can see how these artists and communities shaped the culture and history of the state.
The museum is located in Exposition Park and accessible by public transit, making it easy to reach. Visitors should check opening days and hours in advance, as schedules can vary throughout the week and seasonally.
The building was designed by Black architects, making it a noteworthy example of Black creativity in architecture itself. This architectural choice reflects the museum's mission to highlight Black artists and their contributions across all fields.
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