The Silver Lake community isn’t strangers to art, culture, and diversity. The neighborhood is filled with eclectic creatives who place authenticity above all else. You’ll experience a bustling community and walls lined with expressive street art when you walk through Silver Lake. However, you can find excellent cultural museums to broaden your perspective just outside the Silver Lake area.
The Japanese American National Museum
The Japanese American National Museum (JANM) is dedicated to preserving the culture and history of Japanese Americans. The museum has broadened perspectives and shared its cultural identity since 1992.
The JANM pays homage to influential Japanese Americans who have helped shape our society and culture. The museum also brings necessary attention to the forced removal and incarceration of over 120,000 Japanese Americans following the tragic events of Pearl Harbor.
You can admire the various artifacts, textiles, art, photographs, and oral histories from previous generations. However, the lessons and somber feelings you’ll experience from the history of Pearl Harbor are where the actual growth lies.
You can travel through over 130 years of Japanese American history by walking through their leading exhibition, Common Ground: the Heart of Community. You’ll learn about the harrowing realities of the World War II concentration camps, broadening your perspective in the process.
Museum Hours and Admission Prices:
- 11 am–5 pm (PDT), Tuesday through Sunday. (Late entry is at 4 pm.)
- Adults: $16
- Seniors 62 and Over: $7
- Students With ID and Youths: $7
- Children 5 and Under: Free
- JANM Members: Free
California African American Museum
Another way to expand your knowledge of the different cultures is by visiting The California African American Museum (CAAM). Located in Exposition Park, the museum centers around the education of the cultural history of African Americans. Sprawling over 33,000 feet, you’ll experience over 4,500 historical artifacts, art pieces, and important cultural documents.
You can challenge your beliefs by walking through their Body + Text exhibit. You’ll see featured works from their permanent collection, featuring the Black body paired with contextual elements, such as words, musical notations, and other symbols. These images may transform your preconceived notions on social and political issues.
You’ll witness the human form in mediums such as illustration, paintings, and photography. The text elements from the exhibit will give you a broader narrative of the compositions. Together the Body + Text exhibit integrates the mind and body in a uniquely compelling way.
Museum Hours and Admission Fee:
- Monday – Closed
- Tuesday – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Wednesday – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Thursday – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Friday – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Saturday – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Sunday – 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Parking in Exposition Park is $15 during the day; $18 after 5 pm.
Broaden Your Horizons
The Silver Lake area is filled with diverse individuals dedicated to inclusivity and social change. Just outside the community lies powerful exhibits and museums featuring differing cultures and heritages. Through witnessing historical elements and art pieces, you can broaden your perspective to better understand one another.
