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Add Texture to GoogleThe event is scheduled for spring 2027. In a transatlantic collaboration of unprecedented scope, The Broad in Los Angeles is preparing to transport a major portion of its collection to the French capital. From April 21 to August 30, 2027, the Louis Vuitton Foundation will host the exhibition “The Broad Collection – Los Angeles in Paris,” an event marking the largest-ever display of works from the Eli and Edythe Broad Collection outside of California. This exceptional loan of 164 works, featuring 51 artists, is not merely a matter of institutional courtesy; it is part of a phase of profound structural transformation for the museum on Grand Avenue.
A panorama of contemporary American art in the Bois de Boulogne
The Paris exhibition was conceived as an immersion in the visual identity of Los Angeles, while paying tribute to the pillars of American contemporary art. Under the overall direction of Joanne Heyler, founding director and president of The Broad, and Suzanne Pagé, artistic director of the Louis Vuitton Foundation, the exhibition will center on historic figures whose influence shaped the artistic vision of the 20th century. Visitors will be able to view works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Keith Haring.
Beyond these headliners, the selection curated by Ed Schad and Olivier Michelon highlights the political and social dimensions of the collection. Works by Barbara Kruger, Kara Walker, and William Kentridge will be displayed alongside pieces by Yayoi Kusama and Takashi Murakami. An illustrated catalog, featuring previously unpublished essays and critical texts, will accompany this event to document this temporary yet historic transfer of cultural heritage.
The uniqueness of this loan also lies in its ability to amplify the voice of the current Los Angeles art scene. The exhibition will include works by Sayre Gomez, Lauren Halsey, Patrick Martinez, and Laura Owens, offering a glimpse into the artistic explorations currently driving West Coast studios. For Ed Ruscha, whose name is inextricably linked to the Californian aesthetic, this presentation in Paris feels like a return to the roots of modernity, within the glass-and-steel building designed by Frank Gehry.
The Revival of the Lending Library Concept
The departure of these treasures for Europe coincides with a major construction project in Los Angeles. Rather than storing its works in secure warehouses during the expansion of its main building, The Broad has chosen to return to its original philosophy. Before becoming the museum we know today in 2015, the institution operated for three decades as a “lending library,” circulating pieces from the Eli and Edythe Broad Collection around the world.
This strategy of mobility allows the museum to remain active beyond its walls. In parallel with the Paris project, a local partnership has been established right in Los Angeles. For a minimum of two years, The Broad is collaborating with the nonprofit organization Art + Practice, located in the Leimert Park neighborhood. This agreement provides for the loan of works and the sharing of resources to maintain a strong artistic presence among local communities in the southern part of the city while the Grand Avenue headquarters undergoes its transformation.
A $100 million expansion by 2028
The reason for this grand artistic journey is architectural. The Broad is investing $100 million in a major expansion designed to increase its exhibition space by 70%. The architectural firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro, which designed the original building, has been commissioned to design this new wing. The project calls for the addition of approximately 5,110 square meters, spread across several levels.
This unique layout will include new galleries on three floors as well as two open-air courtyards on the roof, offering new spaces for visitors to explore. One of the most anticipated innovations is the creation of art storage spaces visible to visitors, breaking down the traditional boundary between exhibition areas and storage areas. While the ground-floor galleries will remain open to the public with a rotating program during construction, the ultimate goal is a full opening in 2028. This timeline will enable the museum to be fully operational to accommodate the expected international influx during the Los Angeles Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games (LA28).
Access and Institutional Perspectives
Although the Los Angeles museum maintains its policy of free general admission, the terms of access for the Paris leg of the exhibition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton have not yet been specified. Ticket prices will be announced at a later date, as the April 2027 opening approaches.
This collaboration between the California-based organization and the French institution underscores the importance of networks of museum solidarity in the face of the logistical challenges posed by major renovations. By relocating 164 major works to the Bois de Boulogne, The Broad ensures that its collection remains visible to the public while preparing for its future home on Grand Avenue. The exhibition “The Broad Collection – Los Angeles in Paris” thus promises to be a dialogue between two visions of culture: that of a private Parisian foundation nestled in greenery and that of a California urban museum focused on accessibility and global outreach.