Media Contacts:  

Alexa Ortega-Mendoza 
562.216.4109
aomendoza@molaa.org

Solimar Salas 
787.374.5565
ssalas@molaa.org 

Ron Nelson 
562.439.2119 
ronn@lbma.org  

LONG BEACH, CA – In the interest of public safety and the community, the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) and the Long Beach Museum of Art (LBMA) have announced their temporary closure to the public, effective Monday, March 16, until further notice.

“The safety of our museum staff and visitors is paramount,” said Lourdes I. Ramos-Rivas, Ph.D., President & CEO of MOLAA. “In accordance with the City of Long Beach, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), we will be suspending public operations.”

“In a concerted effort between the institutions, we are taking these additional precautions to contribute to the communities efforts to control the situation,” stated Ron Nelson, Executive Director of LBMA.

In an ominous time of uncertainty, art is a reminder of our humanity and the shared human experience. There has never been a better time to create and appreciate art, even from the comfort of your own home. We look forward to implementing digital alternatives to keep our public engaged and alive with culture!

To stay informed with the most up-to-date information regarding MOLAA and LBMA’s temporary closures, please visit their websites at molaa.org and lbma.org.  

### 

About the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) 

The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) is the only Museum in the United States fully dedicated to modern and contemporary Latin American and Latino art. Founded in 1996 by Robert Gumbiner, MOLAA houses a collection of more than 1,600 works of art including paintings, sculptures, drawings, mixed-media, photographs, and video art. The Museum is a multidisciplinary institution committed to providing a platform for cross-cultural dialogue through the arts, educational programs and events for the community. 

About the Long Beach Museum of Art (LBMA) 

The Long Beach Museum of Art (LBMA) was founded in 1950 as a municipal art center for the city of Long Beach. Since its inception, the Museum has been housed in the historic 1911 Elizabeth Milbank Anderson House. In 1952, the Anderson House was designated as the Long Beach Museum of Art, at which time the Museum began acquiring a permanent collection. The Museum opened its new galleries in its Hartman pavilion in 2000. The Museum opened LBMA Downtown studios and galleries in 2019.