The Institute of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, previously the Santa Monica Museum of Art, operates from the Bergamot Station complex and offers free admission to its contemporary art exhibitions. The programme focuses on emerging and mid-career artists working in a wide range of media, with an emphasis on work that would not find a home in more commercially-oriented galleries.
The free admission policy makes it accessible in a way that distinguishes it from much of the LA gallery circuit. The exhibitions rotate regularly — check what is showing before visiting, as the quality and interest level varies with the programme. The gallery sits within the broader Bergamot Station complex, which has around 30 other galleries worth exploring on the same visit.