Explore the Era

Delve into the postwar Los Angeles art world in this online archive, which provides additional material related to the exhibitions on view at the Getty Center. Learn about hipsters and happenings, and the venues across the city where all the action took place through images from the archives and first-hand accounts with the artists.

Theatre Vanguard

From 1972 until 1978 patron Judith Stark developed this arts venue and paired film exhibition with dance, theater, and performance. It marked the city’s first substantial foray into non-profit cinema exhibition and aspired “to become a center for the avant-garde and noncommercial arts in Los Angeles.” The theatre’s fundraising, philanthropy, visiting artists, and programs curated by experts was extremely influential and inspired the city’s approach to experimental film in the era of federal funding.

Historic Map Locations