The museum is a department of the State of California, functioning as part of the Natural Resources Agency.
It was created after a long advocacy campaign by community leaders to document the contributions of Black Californians, following the 1976 State Bicentennial celebration.
The institution was one of the first in the U.S. to be dedicated specifically to the African American experience within the Western United States.
The permanent collection includes a significant holding of art by self-taught African American artists.
The building itself was designed by architects Jack Haywood and Sergio Zeballos and features a signature sculpture garden.
CAAM houses the 'African American Artists of Los Angeles' oral history project, documenting the local art scene since the mid-20th century.
The museum site in Exposition Park occupies land that was once part of the original agricultural fairgrounds.
The California African American Museum (CAAM) is a state-supported institution dedicated to researching, collecting, and preserving the history and culture of African Americans with a focus on California and the West. Established in 1977, it was the first African American museum of its kind to be built with public funds. The facility houses a permanent collection of over 5,000 objects, ranging from fine art and historical artifacts to photographs and oral histories. It functions as a research center and public space for exhibitions, lectures, and workshops. The architecture features an open, sunlit design with a large atrium that serves as a central gathering point. The museum's programming frequently engages with contemporary social issues through the lens of history and artistic expression. It is situated within the historic Exposition Park, sharing grounds with other major institutional neighbors. The museum maintains an active rotating schedule of temporary exhibitions alongside its permanent archives.
The central atrium and the outdoor sculpture courtyard provide the best natural light and architectural backdrops.
Check the digital archives on the museum website before your visit to prepare for specific exhibition themes.
Combine your visit with a walk through the adjacent Rose Garden for a full afternoon in Exposition Park.
Do not mistake the museum for the neighboring Natural History Museum, which has a different entrance and ticketing structure.
Closed on Mondays.
Maintain a quiet volume in gallery spaces and refrain from touching artwork or historical artifacts.
