California African American Museum

600 State Drive
Los Angeles CA 90037

Phone: 213-744-7432
Email: [email protected]

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Description:
History Of The Museum

The Museum began operations in 1981 housed in temporary quarters at the California Museum of Science and Industry (currently the California Science Center). The current facility in Exposition Park was built with State and private funds for $5 million. Designed by African American architects, Jack Haywood and the late Vince Proby, the Museum facility opened its doors to the public  during the Olympic Games of July 1984. CAAM is currently in its 21st anniversary of being housed in its own facility.

Facility improvements also include the development of a permanent interactive education and engagement center which began as part of the Museum’s exhibition Black Olympians: Moments of Inspiration. Renovations are underway and completion is expected in 2006 for what is referred to as the Gallery of Discovery. Support for the center has come from a number of partnership sources, in particular from IBM, Allstate, NBC, the Amateur Athletic Foundation, UCLA and Loyola Marymount amongst others

A more long-term Expansion Study has been developed with bond funds made available in previous fiscal years. The Expansion Study led by the architectural firm of Hammel, Green and Abrahamson, Inc., with design by Huff & Gooden Architects, LLC, and mission/vision planning by LORD Cultural Resources Planning & Management. The preliminary concept scop  has been reviewed and budget estimates were completed early 2005.

This study includes modifying CAAM’s orientation in the park in light of the larger master plan begun by the California Science Center, as well as expansion of CAAM to accommodate future and current needs for education programming space, museum store and café locations, lecture/theater setting presentation space, and permanent galleries for interactive discovery  history and art associated with CAAM’s permanent collection.