OUR PROGRAMS
OPENLA
OpenLA is Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory’s gallery and creative studio in Boyle Heights, designed as an elevated platform for visual art, performance, and cultural exchange. The space features exhibitions by emerging and established artists, live performances, open mics, screenings, and community programming—while also serving as a primary studio and training space for the Mural Workforce Academy (MWA).
OpenLA exists to support artists, invite community connection, and create access to meaningful cultural experiences on the Eastside.
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A Platform for Art, Performance, and Creative Exchange
OLA
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OpenLA presents rotating exhibitions that showcase a range of artistic practices, from visual art and installation to performance-based work. Artists are selected with intention, creating space for both emerging voices and established practitioners to share work that is rooted in culture, place, and lived experience.
Public programs—including artist talks, performances, workshops, and screenings—invite neighbors, youth, and creatives to engage directly with the work and with one another.
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In addition to exhibitions and events, OpenLA functions as an active creative studio. The space supports hands-on training, production, and collaboration for BHAC programs, particularly the Mural Workforce Academy. Artists and participants use the space for planning, skill-building, and collective work between public projects.
This dual role allows OpenLA to operate as both a public-facing gallery and a behind-the-scenes site for learning and making.
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At its core, OpenLA is a place to gather. The space is designed to be welcoming, flexible, and responsive—supporting creative exchange across generations and disciplines. Whether attending an exhibition, participating in a workshop, or collaborating on a project, visitors experience OpenLA as a shared cultural resource grounded in care and connection.
Who OpenLA Serves
OpenLA serves artists, youth, and community members across Boyle Heights and greater Los Angeles County. Programming is designed to be accessible, culturally grounded, and reflective of the communities it serves.