👹 ARTSTUFF.WTF

This is a recommendation list of mostly DIY art (and etc) spaces around Los Angeles that hold public events that are free or low cost, assembled summer 2018. This is a subjective and possibly idiosyncratic, error-prone list.

Art

Human Resources

Chinatown
Collectively-organized nonprofit space with an emphasis on performative and underexposed modes of expression

Pasadena
New media art gallery. Openings held sporadically.

Armory Center For the Arts

Pasadena
Galleries, workshops, classes, performances.

The Hammer Museum

Westwood
Always free. Always contemporary. Exhibits, concerts, screenings, talks, etc.

Los Angeles Contemporary Archive

Chinatown
An artist publication archive. Holds semi-monthly exhibitions.

The Underground Museum

Mid-City (Arlington Heights)
A space for exhibitions, events, dialogue, and artist collaborations. Outdoor Garden. Free admission (donations accepted).

Downtown
A test site for collective autonomy, hosts exhibits, concerts, other events.

3307 W Washington Blvd

Mid-City
Residency, studio, talks, literary events, performances, meals.

Workshops

Side Street Projects

Northeast LA
Mobile-run arts org presenting community workshops, student maker classes, and artist support services.

Women's Center For Creative Work

Frogtown
Women's resource center, workshops, co-working space.

Music

The Smell

Downtown
20 years strong! All ages punky DIY performance venue.

Zebulon

Atwater Village
Bar that hosts DIY weirdo concerts in a fancy though affordable venue.

The Museum of Jurassic Technology

Culver City
This renown avant museum also holds occasional concerts of traditional european and mid-eastern music. Get on their email list.

Coaxial

Downtown/South of 10
Video art, new media, sound art/experimental music. Non-profit.

Modular On the Spot

Atwater Village
Pop-up modular synth picnic happening bi-monthly in the warm months in North Atwater Park. Announced on Instagram.

Film/Video

Echo Park Film Center

Echo Park
Community-organized highly active space with experimental film screenings and workshops.

La Collectionneuse

Location varies
La collectionneuse — the woman who collects — is the totemic hostess of a monthly cinematic salon for lovers of French and international film and culture. Often combines film and dance, swimming, food, etc.

Other

The Velaslavasay Panorama

University Park
Somewhat in the same family as Jurassic Tech. Old theater, panorama, garden. Esoteric performances, talks, etc. A gem.

The Wende Museum

Culver City
A collections-based research and education institution preserving cold war artifacts and history. Hosts exhibits, talks, tours.

Bob Baker Marionette Theater

Westlake
A marionette puppet theater that holds kids events, experimental concerts, and more.

Radio

KCHUNG Radio

Chinatown
True community online and low power AM radio station. Dozens of shows. Hundreds of participants. Always changing. Holds events.

NTS Radio

Chinatown
Ultra-current web radio station (also LDN) broadcasting urban electronic experimental musics.

Alternative Ed

The Southland Institute

Unaccredited postgraduate workshop and repository of online art education resources

Poetry

Poetic Research Bureau

Chinatown
Publisher, reading room, and possibly still workshops from The Public School LA

Bonus

The Southland Institute's list of outer schools

Machine Project x Common Field's Guides to starting an art space, curating and planning events, and hosting workshops