July 11, 2025 Your Source for Brentwood News

UCLA’s Hammer Museum Completes Two-Decade Transformation Project With Opening of Lynda and Stewart Resnick Cultural Center

Museum concludes its extensive renovation and expansion with the unveiling of the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Cultural Center, featuring a new main entrance, additional gallery space, and a weekend of opening celebrations

By Sam Catanzaro

The UCLA Hammer Museum has completed its two-decade-long renovation project with the opening of the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Cultural Center, marked by a weekend of celebrations. The project included the expansion, renovation, and transformation of the building and program of the museum. The newly renovated facilities feature existing galleries, public event spaces, restaurant, offices, and other back-of-house spaces, as well as the addition of a new gallery and study center for works on paper, a 900-square-foot sculpture terrace, and a 5,600-square-foot gallery for artist projects. The final stage of the project in 2023 will see the creation of a prominent street-level main entrance for the museum with galleries stretching the length of the entire city block, featuring a cylindrical column supporting a porch that will serve as a sheltered gathering place.

Architect Michael Maltzan, who worked on the project, praised the museum’s vision and determination, stating that the museum’s transformation began with a period of institutional and architectural change focused on expanding the museum’s program and creating indoor-outdoor space. The Hammer Contemporary Collection will be the first exhibition displayed in the transformed building. The exhibition, Together in Time: Selections from the Hammer Contemporary Collection, features over 70 artworks in a range of media, and looks at contemporary art through the lens of Los Angeles. It includes works by over 30 artists, such as John Baldessari, Mark Bradford, Robert Gober, and Mike Kelley. Complementing the exhibition are Full Burn: Video from the Hammer Contemporary Collection and a series of programs and events.

The museum’s journey to transform itself began with the creation of the Billy Wilder Theater in 2006 and the transformation of the central courtyard into a lively gathering place in 2012. The museum received a 99-year lease from UCLA in 2015 for 40,000 square feet in the former Oxy Tower, which allowed for the complete renovation of the Hammer’s existing galleries and the creation of the Bay-Nimoy Studio in 2018. The Annenberg Family Terrace, a reimagined entrance on the museum’s Lindbrook Drive side, and a renovated restaurant followed in 2019. In 2021, the museum expanded and renovated its back-of-house administration, while in 2022, it added a new works on paper gallery and study center, as well as the renovated Hammer Store.

Maltzan praised the museum’s clear vision and persistence throughout the project. He stated, “This was truly a case of building the airplane while you were flying it. I can’t think of any other client that would have had the daring and imagination to carry it off.”

The newly transformed building features highly transparent glass running along the first floor, which provides views into the spacious new lobby. Ramps, stairs, and a passenger elevator organized around an elliptical information desk will lead visitors to the exhibition galleries. At the corner of Glendon and Wilshire, a sculpture terrace has been added, activating the southeast exterior of the museum. The Lynda and Stewart Resnick Cultural Center will be the new prominent, street-level main entrance for the museum, featuring a cylindrical column supporting a porch that will serve as a sheltered gathering place.

The Hammer Contemporary Collection, a key development at the Hammer since 2005, has since grown to comprise over 4,000 artworks. The collection began as a natural continuation of the Hammer’s presentation of contemporary art and has grown to include works by Los Angeles-based and international artists. Together in Time: Selections from the Hammer Contemporary Collection will be on view at the museum until June 19th, 2023.

Admission to all exhibitions and programs at the Hammer Museum is free. Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Closed Mondays and national holidays. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Boulevard at Westwood, Los Angeles. Onsite parking is $8 for the first 3 hours (maximum $22), or $8 flat rate after 6 p.m. Valet parking is available at the Lindbrook Drive entrance for $10. Visit hammer.ucla.edu for details or call 310-443-7000.

Related Posts

The Bar at Century Plaza to Celebrate National Caviar Day with Exclusive Tastings

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The seven-hour event will feature exclusive caviar tastings and champagne pairings The Bar at Fairmont Century Plaza will host a...

Father-Daughter Authors to Host Book Signing to Aid Fire-Affected Women

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Ten percent of proceeds from book and art sales will benefit the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, a nonprofit initiative created...

Metro Reports Crime Drop, Higher Rider Satisfaction, and Progress on Major Projects

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The Authority said the drop in violent incidents—down to the lowest level since May 2019—coincided with more uniformed personnel and...

Angelini Grill Opens Limited Run at Peninsula Beverly Hills

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The menu includes tableside Dover Sole, lobster salad, and a signature pasta tasting A new culinary collaboration, Angelini Grill, launched...

Jack Kirby Exhibit Opens at Skirball Cultural Center

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The display features original comic illustrations, fine art, and commercial works, many shown publicly for the first time A new...

New Agenda Coaching: Changing Lives in LA

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Students Work Toward Applied Success with Executive Function Coaching Services The demands of daily routines and studies sometimes bear weight...

Unmasking ICE: Senators Push for Visible IDs After Secretive LA Immigration Raids

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bill Requires Federal Agents to Display Visible Identification During Raids U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) on...

Bacio di Latte’s Beverly Hills Gelateria Debut Blends Italian Tradition with California Cool

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Gelateria Features In-House Gelato, Espresso Drinks, and Decadent Signature Flavors Bacio di Latte has officially opened its latest U.S. flagship...

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

Brentwood Feels Impact as Feds Slash Office Leases Across Los Angeles

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

New Tracker Reveals Over 70,000 Square Feet Cut in 2025 Alone Los Angeles County’s office market is experiencing a fresh...

One Last Bite: La Novia Bids Farewell with Final Pop-Up at Cardinale du Vin

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Inventive Latin-Asian Pop-up Serves Seasonal Small Plates for One-Night-Only La Novia, the pop-up kitchen known for its inventive Latin-Asian flavors,...

Interview: The Dinah Creator Mariah Hanson on Legacy, Change, and the Future of Queer Celebration

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

After 34 Groundbreaking Years, Hanson Reflects on Joy, Power, and Her Final Dinah  We spoke with Mariah Hanson, the creator...

Change in LAPD Coverage for Brentwood Residents as Officer Kirk Takes Leave

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Officer Kirk on Vacation Until Late July—Here’s Who to Contact Los Angeles Police Department Senior Lead Officer Matthew Kirk will...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

Governor Newsom Unveils Fast-Track Rebuilding Plan on Six-Month Anniversary of Palisades Fire

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

State Clears Over 5.5 Billion Pounds of Debris From Fires Ahead of Schedule Marking six months since the devastating Eaton...