Yes we CAAM: a day at the California African American Museum

March 9, 2010

LOS ANGELES, USA- When it comes to visiting museums, I have a bit of a Goldilocks complex. Large city museums with extensive collections (like Los Angeles’ “three bears” of art — the Getty, LACMA, and MOCA) overwhelm me, while small, niche museums (Museum of Neon Art, anyone?) often feel too specialized to be worth the visit. What I really appreciate in a museum is a collection focused enough that I can leave with a sense of satisfaction and a perspective worldly enough that I can walk away with new insight, too.

The California African American Museum (CAAM), in these ways, is just right. The museum is located in Exposition Park (southwest of downtown and right across from the University of Southern California) in the cluster of museums which includes the California Science Center and the Natural History Museum. If you’re making a stop at these larger museums, or even if you’re not, CAAM is definitely worth a visit. The small scale of the museum, with just three full-sized exhibition galleries, makes it manageable in a couple of hours.

CAAM gets to the heart of the California experience. The state has long represented the progressive spirit and independence of the west at the same time as it has been a site of multicultural struggle with its proximity to Mexico and the Pacific Rim. As early as 1849, California adopted anti-slavery policies and later passed progressive laws against segregation. However, such legal equality did not always translate into social equality for its African American population. Nonetheless, African Americans who migrated west from the south — especially during World War II when jobs were plentiful — developed thriving communities and significantly shaped California culture.

The permanent collection aims to trace the journey of African Americans from their ancestral homes in West Africa all the way to the Pacific Ocean. This is a bit of a tall order, so there are many gaps, of course, and it all seems like a work in progress. The temporary exhibitions were in fact much more engaging. “Harlem of the West” offered a collection of photographs, posters, music, video, and poetry that brought to life the jazz-centric culture that thrived in San Francisco’s Fillmore District in the late 1940s and early 1950s. “Dance Theatre of Harlem: 40 Years of Firsts” displayed original costumes, photos, and memorabilia from the world’s only black classical ballet company.

Because of its small size, the museum has a bit of a “do-it-yourself” feel. There’s no need for large maps and dense audio guides. Outside “Harlem of the West,” I picked up a laminated sheet that served as a guide to the exhibit and put it back when I was done for the next visitor. If you do want a tour, they can be arranged in advance (consult the website for times and details).

Overall, I left the museum with a deeper understanding of the delicate racial mix within the Golden State and the trials and triumphs of its people. Take that, LACMA!

California African American Museum
600 State Dr.
Exposition Park
Los Angeles, CA
(1) 213-744-7432
Website
Map