reopening Archives - L.A. Parent

Los Angeles Museums Reopen this Spring

Published March 30, 2021

Nina Harada

After a year of shutdowns, takeout and Zoom, we are so excited to see our city start to open back up with the many Los Angeles museums reopening this spring. As of March 15, Los Angeles County moved into the Red Tier, which means a wide range of indoor operations are allowed to resume under specific COVID-19 safety protocols.

Museums, movie theaters, zoos, aquariums, theme parks, and other family friendly businesses are starting to open their doors again, just in time for Angelenos to enjoy springtime. Although it feels like L.A. is getting back to normal, there are still rules you need to follow. We break down what you need to know to keep your family safe and still have fun at the museums and galleries, which have started to open to the public once again.

What you need to know

Mask up. Wearing a mask or face covering in public or common spaces is still required.
Keep your distance. Physical distancing of at least 6 feet between you and people not in your party is still required.
Limited capacity. Indoor dining, museums, zoos, aquariums, and movie theaters are allowed at 25% capacity.
Plan ahead. Most indoor operations require advance reservations to ensure 25% capacity.

Here is our running list of museums and galleries reopening that we can’t wait to visit. We will update this list as more information becomes available.

PetSpace opens their new Critter Corner to young visitors. PHOTO COURTESY WALLIS ANNENBERG PETSPACE

March reopenings

Peterson Automotive Museum – One of the world’s largest automotive museums reopened March 25 with new exhibits.

California African American Museum – The Exposition Park Museum, CAAM, welcomed back guests March 27 with new exhibits.

California Science Center – The Science Center adapted many of their exhibits for hand-free interaction for its reopening on March 27.

Autry Museum of the American West – The Autry Museum reopened March 30.

Wallis Annenberg PetSpace – Small, socially-distanced groups can reserve tickets for the “PetSpace Experience” as of March 31. The reopening includes activities for kids of all ages, visits to the Critter Corner, and a live Pet Encounter.

LACMA reopens to the public April 1. PHOTO COURTESY OF LACMA

April reopenings

Natural History Museum – Guests can reserve their tickets now for the Natural History Museum’s April 1 reopening, which will include two exhibitions: “Rise Up L.A.: A Century of Votes for Women” and “Spiky, Hairy, Shiny: Insects of L.A.”

LACMA – Previously postponed exhibits will make their debut to the public starting April 1, including “Cauleen Smith,” “Yoshitomo Nara,” “NOT I,” “Bill Viola,” “View From Here,” and “Vera Lutter.”

JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles – The gallery space welcomed back visitors April 5, with their NATURE/SUPERNATURE exhibition featuring over sixty Japanese woodblock prints. The museum and cultural space also launched a new online reservation system so small groups can easily reserve their complimentary tickets. Walk-ins are invited as space safely allows.

Southern California Children’s Museum – The play-based museum opens their indoor space for private and semi-private sessions starting April 6. The outdoor space is open now.

Huntington Art Galleries – Select galleries at The Huntington reopen April 17, including the debut of “Made in L.A. 2020: a version.” The gardens, store and café are open now.

Getty Villa – The Getty Villa Museum reopens April 21 just in time for visitors to enjoy the blooming gardens throughout the Malibu coastal property. Take in the antiquities galleries, Roman-inspired architecture, and the Getty’s latest exhibit, “Mesopotamia: Civilization Begins,” which features works from the Louvre and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Petersen Automotive Museum Reopens

Published March 25, 2021

Elena Epstein

Another one of our favorite L.A. spots has reopened with a special offer — free admission to health care workers and first responders through the end of the year.

For all the “CARS” fans, don’t miss the life size Lightening McQueen in display.

During the museum’s closure due to COVID-19 mandates, the Petersen virtually launched three exhibits. The public can now see these exhibits for the time in person.

The new exhibits include:

“The Aesthetic of Motoring: 90 Years of Pininfarina,” which will convey the significance and evolution of the Italian car design firm and coachbuilder through a curated display of four key automobiles representing its storied 90-year history.
“Supercars: A Century of Spectacle and Speed,” which showcases the evolution of the supercar.
“Extreme Conditions,” which highlights 11 custom competition, recreational and utilitarian off-roading vehicles.
“Redefining Performance,” which features Porsche’s most innovative road and race vehicles.

The Petersen’s Hollywood Dreams exhibit is the largest museum exhibition of sci-fi vehicles in the world. It features vehicles, costumes, props, art and artifacts from the most epic sci-fi and fantasy film, TV and video game franchises of all time, including “Star Wars,” “Back to the Future,” “TRON,” “Iron Man,” “Blade Runner,” “Batman,” “Halo” and more.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM

Tickets to the museum must now be pre-purchased at petersen.org/tickets. In order to receive complimentary access, health care personnel and first responders will also need to reserve tickets online and provide a physical copy of professional verification at museum check-in.

Autry Museum Reopens with New Exhibitions

Published March 25, 2021

Nina Harada

Brett Allen Johnson, *Last Light on the Red Desert* (detail). From “Masters of the American West.”

After closing their doors for over a year, the Autry Museum reopens to the public Tuesday, April 6 with three new onsite exhibitions. Autry Museum members have access to the museum beginning Tuesday, March 30.

Beginning March 30, the Autry will debut “Masters of the American West,” a limited engagement exhibition open through April 11, which features select works available for purchase online, and “When I Remember I See Red: American Indian Art and Activism in California,” an exhibition featuring Native California artists. Later in April, “What’s Her Story: Women in the Archives” will open alongside permanent core gallery “Art of the West.”

With the reopening of their physical space, the Autry will continue to offer their online offerings, which help tell the diverse stories of the American West.

The museum is offering free admission through April 18 with advance ticket reservations. Check the museum website for tickets and visitor information, including COVID-19 safety precautions.

Autry Museum reopens to the public with three new exhibitions, including "When I Remember I See Red." — Cara Romero (Chemehuevi) (Southern Paiute), *Naomi*, photograph. From *When I Remember I See Red*.

Birch Aquarium is Now Open Indoors and Out

Published March 21, 2021

By Elena Epstein

La Jolla’s Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography is now welcoming guests back into the Hall of Fishes, as well as the museum side of the aquarium.

Birch Aquarium at ScrippsQ Institution of Oceanography | aquarium.ucsd.edu

Several of the experiences that were added to the aquarium when it was operating outdoors-only will remain to encourage social distancing and give guests more to explore. These include the new tropical touch experience, the Growing Up Seahorse activity, and the small animal nursery, all on Smargon Court near Shark Shores.

Their newest exhibit, the Marine Protected Area Touch Experience, where guests can get hands-on with juvenile sharks and rays, as well as other local species, also remains open on Preuss Tide Pool Plaza.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography | aquarium.ucsd.edu

For more information on what you need to know before you visit, check out the aquarium’s Know Before You Visit Page. The most important detail to note is that advanced reservations for a specific date and time are now required for all guests, even members.

Junior Lifeguard Program Will Be Back This Summer

Published March 17, 2021

By Elena Epstein

The Los Angeles County Junior Lifeguard Program will resume this summer with COVID-19 safety protocols. Registration for new applicants will begin April 1.

The program, offered through the Los County Fire Department, is designed for children ages 9 through 17 in Los Angeles County with a focus to teaching water safety, swimming, body surfing, surfing, physical conditioning, competition skills, first aid, lifesaving rescue techniques, CPR, and use of professional lifesaving equipment.

Safety precautions include:

Reducing the student-to-instructor ratio of 20:1 which will allow for 3,100 participants, compared to previous pre-pandemic programs which allowed for up to 4,300 participants with a 30:1 ratio.
Requiring and enforcing instructors and students to wear face coverings at all times, except during swimming and eating/drinking.
Maintaining physical distancing of a minimum of six feet as well reminding participants on best practices to prevent infection and promote proper hygiene.
Performing health and temperature screenings of instructors and participants at the start of each day.

Returning participants can expect to receive an e-mail from the Junior Lifeguard Program to begin registration starting today. New applications will be available through the LA County Fire Department website starting Thursday, April 1, 2021.

For more information visit fire.lacounty.gov

Bowers Museum Reopens With Disney Exhibit

Published March 16, 2021

By Elena Epstein

The Bowers Museum will reopen on March 17, almost a year after closing due to COVID-19. The exhibition Inside the Walt Disney Archives: 50 Years of Preserving the Magic is now on view through June 20, giving visitors the full spring season to experience the long-awaited return of this collection.

Inside the Walt Disney Archives: 50 Years of Preserving the Magic at Bowers Museum, installation shot 2020.

The June extension of Inside the Walt Disney Archives marks the third and final extension for this magical exhibition, which has been closed for much of its time at the Bowers due to statewide museum closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. With health and safety precautions in place, guests will be invited to step into the Walt Disney Archives as they walk through a 10,000-square-feet traveling exhibit featuring a dazzling display of 465 objects, including 50 pieces original artwork, 15 original screen-worn costumes, 3 cars and other props that tell the story of the Archives, The Walt Disney Company, and Walt Disney himself. Click here for tickets and more information.

Donald Duck Animation Cel, Disneyland- “Donald’s Award”(1957), Disney Studio Artist, Walt Disney Archives, ©Disney

In celebration of this reopening, Bowers Museum will offer 20% off purchases* at the Gallery Store 3/17 – 3/21 onsite and online at shop.bowers.org.

Safety precautions include reduced capacity with timed entry, staff and visitor temperature checks, decals for enforced social distancing, masks requirements, additional hand sanitizing stations, increased cleaning schedule, Plexi shields at transaction areas, removal of high touch and interactive gallery elements, and more.

Inside the Walt Disney Archives (includes general admission): $25 weekends, $23 weekdays. Admission for the museum will be offered at 25% capacity on a timed-entry basis. Free admission will be given to all healthcare and emergency services workers with valid ID. Discounts to pricing apply for seniors, children, students, active military, and Santa Ana residents. Details at bowers.org/visit.

Replica of Walt Disney’s Office,Saving Mr. Banks (2013) (Walt Disney Productions),Walt Disney Archives, ©Disney

Opening Day Ticket, Disneyland(1955), purchased by Roy O. Disney, Walt Disney Archives, ©Disney

Bowers Museum is located at 2002 North Main Street in Santa Ana. For more information visit bowers.org