MOCA Curator Walkthrough of In These Times, Nov 5

A new acquisitions show is easier to enjoy with someone who can explain why each work ended up in the collection. On Thursday, November 5, 2026, MOCA Senior Curator Bennett Simpson leads a walkthrough of In These Times: Recent Acquisitions at MOCA, and it is a solid pick among the things happening in Los Angeles this week.

When: Thursday, November 5, 2026, 6pm Where: MOCA Grand Avenue, 250 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles Admission: Free with RSVP

What to expect

The exhibition opened on September 20, 2026, and runs through January 3, 2027, in the galleries at MOCA Grand Avenue. It gathers works the museum has recently added to its collection, so the walkthrough doubles as a look at where MOCA's holdings are heading. The installation mixes sculpture, photography and painting, from a neon-lettered piece on one wall to large framed canvases across the room.

Simpson is one of the museum's senior curators, which means the tour comes from someone who has a hand in how the collection grows. Expect context on individual works, how they relate to each other, and why they matter now. The event page describes it as a guided walkthrough, so plan on standing and walking through the galleries with the group rather than sitting for a lecture.

After the tour

The evening does not end when the walkthrough does. MOCA's listing says visitors can stay to explore the exhibition and the other show on the Grand Avenue campus, Alexander Apostol's Regime: Dramatis Personae. MOCA Grand Avenue stays open until 8pm as part of DTLA ArtNight, so you can fold the curator talk into a longer night of galleries downtown.

Practical info

Admission is free, but you need to RSVP through MOCA's event page before you go. Space on a curator-led tour is usually limited, so reserve early instead of counting on a walk-up spot. The museum sits on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles, close to the Metro stations at Pershing Square and Civic Center, and paid garages are nearby. Because the tour starts at 6pm, give yourself time to park or ride in and check in before the group sets off.

If you are building a week of culture, browse more arts and culture events on the site. For anyone searching for upcoming events in Los Angeles that cost nothing and still feel substantial, a free hour with a senior curator in a working contemporary art museum is hard to beat.