The series of interconnected pavilions, courtyards, and gardens that comprise the Skirball’s 15-acre campus is more than glass, stainless steel, white concrete, pink granite, and tree-lined pathways. It is an oasis in the heart of bustling Los Angeles, a refuge from the chaos of the world, and a place of welcome for people of all backgrounds to engage with Jewish heritage and American democratic ideals.

Stunning architecture and picturesque landscapes designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie echo ancient traditions and Southern California environs to create an unforgettable backdrop for educational, cultural, civic, and lifecycle experiences, ranging from exhibitions, performances, school programs, and adult education to seminars, conferences, weddings, and birthday celebrations that advance the Skirball’s mission of fostering community, learning, and justice.

Hospitality is a central value in Jewish tradition. Welcoming guests, honoring milestones, and creating a sense of belonging reflect the Jewish principles of hachnasat orchim (welcoming the stranger), community responsibility, and the sanctity of gathering together. Whether we are hosting a family celebrating a rite of passage or an organization convening for learning and collaboration, the Skirball upholds these values by ensuring every guest feels respected, supported, and seen.

Community events at the Skirball are a gateway through which guests experience our mission in a deeply personal and communal way. Events encourage dialogue, civic engagement, and the exchange of ideas—fundamental components of a healthy democracy. By hosting nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, cultural groups, and private celebrations, we help foster environments rooted in openness, mutual understanding, and shared civic values.

The Skirball’s Museum presents exhibitions that tell Jewish and American stories—whether focused on fine art, popular culture, or cultural history—that advance the Center’s mission. It also stewards one of the world’s largest Jewish museum collections: over 30,000 objects that reflect Jewish experiences throughout history and across the diaspora. Through spotlighting objects in our collection and on loan, harnessing the power of media, and providing opportunities for visitors to share their own stories, the Skirball’s temporary exhibitions and core galleries offer a diverse array of narratives that emphasize both the vibrancy and the complexity of Jewish life and culture within the context of American society.

From Fall 2025–Spring 2026, the Skirball welcomed 75,000 visitors to the Museum. Six of the seven exhibitions presented during this time were Skirball originals.

Recent survey numbers show visitors rated their average visit to the Skirball at 4.6 out of 5, with additional rankings of 9.3 out of 10 likely to return to the Skirball and 9.4 out of 10 likely to recommend the Skirball to a friend or colleague. 

The Skirball presents live performances across artistic disciplines that center narratives rooted in the Jewish American experience. Music, theater, dance, film, and literature offer new invitations to evergreen discourses on immigration and assimilation, civil rights and activism, pluralism, and American life.

This range of public offerings is designed to foster inclusion and community, bring museum exhibitions to life, highlight cultural heritage, offer lifelong learning, and invite our community to actively participate in civic opportunities, offering hope and discovery.

In an era of increasing isolation, the Skirball is building connection and community. In the last year, over 12,000 people attended 32 performances and screenings, and more than 900 people subscribed to classes, book groups, and lifelong learning courses. 

The Roslyn and Abner Goldstine School Programs always begin with welcome and storytelling. These stories are an invitation for our youngest visitors to learn more about Jewish culture and identity and make connections to their own cultures and identities through discovery, wonder, and interactive hands-on learning via music, movement, and artmaking. For those with the appetite for more, ongoing classes in applied arts, book discussion groups, lecture series, and other deeper engagement opportunities fill the calendar.

Long after their participation in educator-led tours of our exhibitions, multiweek residencies at schools, teacher professional development workshops, free online lessons and videos, and of course intergenerational family experiences aboard the award-winning Noah’s Ark exhibition—including the Art Studio and new Bloom Garden—and Archaeology Dig, visitors recall the magic of their experience and discover we are part of something larger than ourselves.

But the work is more than just fun. In a time of rising antisemitism, the Skirball gives the youngest members of our community (and their grown-ups) a positive experience in a Jewish place. Jewish kids and families can feel safe and comfortable. Visitors from all walks of life can find points of connection and understanding. This is serious work done joyfully, with intention, compassion, and care to foster human connections.