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Comments (199)
Very interesting photographic museum. It is basically free. You can always donate or pay what you desire. Nice exhibits.
The venue is not massive but packed to the gills with cool looking pictures at every twist and turn. Tip: they participate in Bank of Americas museums on us program.
We premiered the movie Brian Banks at the Museum of Photographic Arts. The theater held around 200 people. Following the film, we had a Q&A and then moved into the main room of the museum for a reception. It was a great place for an event. Highly recommend!
Fantastic Irving Penn exhibit and Deborah provided great information on his work. Discovering the Brain exhibit is fascinating how art and science come together.
Cool place....some awesome galleries. Any place that displays Ansel Adams works gets my vote...the silouette display by Erica Deeman was interesting..
My favorite museum ever! Love the pics and original arts of work. I always learn something new.
Donation based visit, good place to visit while at Balboa park
Lived in San Diego 25 years, first time at the MOPA...great experience, lovely museum...amazing exhibit of Irving Penn...
This is a small offering of works usually concentrating on one or two artists. It can be interesting but dont expect much.
This is a great museum. It won’t take long to see everything but come back often as it changes frequently. Sign up for the newsletter and you’ll get info on film festivals, learning opps, and receptions. Great staff too!
We really enjoyed this museum. We will definitely go back the next time we are in town. Highly recommended!
Very nice museum in the great park to walk. Liked the place with some nice art
This is a great museum in Balboa Park.The variety of the exhibits is inspiring, and I learn something about photography from each exhibit.The Video Mirror in the lobby fascinates me - this device reflect your image back, but is is made up of pixel that are portraits of individuals.
Ive been a regular attendee of MOPA openings because I find them very welcoming, enjoyable and interesting. I look forward to the youth exhibition each year. What can I say about the work of these young people? Exciting, Inspiring, rekindles my interest in photography. Beginnings Forever was fascinating, and I will need to visit it several times. Thanks for a great evening!
Pay what you want admission and very unique exhibits. Awesome museum gallery, will come back again!
This was an amazing show. I was glad to view it with my 16 year old niece. We had some good discussions about the photographs, as well as the ages of the photographers. The insights were thought provoking and the photographic techniques were very impressive!
Amazing collections of modern and ancient artifacts. Great for killing a couple hours while taking a long walk.
A nice museum. It was clean, organized and the displays were excellent. While I’m not really into photography it was definitely worth a visit.
Whether you are a amateur or pro photographer, this is a must see. It celebrates the best of photography. When I was there, there was an entire section on Pride and how photography has captured the pivot moments in the movements history. Absolute masterpiece. This is one of my favorite museums in Balboa Park. And its free for entry, but I would highly recommend that you donate to keep the place open for everyone to continue enjoying this place. Great for small kids, families, individuals.
This was a single artist gallery with a small informative section. Not a museum.
Love this museum. They always showcase beautiful images. MOPA does a great job putting on member only parties. Fun!
Although small, the museum is quite interesting with many pictures as old as the very early 1900s (theres probably older ones that I didnt see). The museum is very calm and quiet so make sure to keep it that way when visiting to let others appreciate the art. Donations are not required but Im sure the staff appreciates them! Have fun here there is tons of awesome souvenirs!
While the exhibits and activities themselves were very enjoyable, the highlight was talking to Gabriela, who worked at the museum and encouraged us to examine the photos more closely and engage in discussion about finer details of each work. As someone who usually goes through museums fairly quickly and doesnt give most exhibits more than a cursory glance, it was refreshing to look at the artwork longer and reflect on what the artist was trying to convey. Highly recommend!
One of the most unique presentations of this medium I have ever experienced! As a photographer, I appreciate the range of what can be presented and MOPA goes way above what you might expect. They did have one of the three galleries closed, but the other two had amazing displays of photography that really made an impact.Please take the time to see this small, but intense museum while visiting Balboa Park & you will not be disappointed!
This was an interesting exhibit even for a 5 year old.
Well done exhibit and interesting interactive active photo images
This place is always amazing. They change the exhibit fairly regularly and I always am able to take my time and really enjoy the photos. This past time they even had a free photobooth which I thought was really great of them. Especially because they are donation based. Cant get enough of this museum.
Love this museum! This is a must-visit stop every time we go to the Balboa Park. The exhibits get updated quite often, and the collections are always fun and diverse. They are also very involved with the communities, as there are always students / kids exhibits on display.
Great museum with a lot of precious photos
Wonderful donation based museum, exhibits change frequently. Clean bathrooms. We visit frequently!
World-class museum, covering the photographic gamut. I enjoy the variety of exhibitions and the staff is very knowledgable. Terrific bookstore as well.
One of the smaller museums but absolutely worth visiting. Suggested donation, and no admission fee means that you get a lot for your money. The museum/gallery is small but the work on display is excellent. Do not skip on this if you enjoy photography.
Well worth the visit. Admission is not a set price, its more like by donation. You decide how much to pay at the front desk. Its a great exhibit, and there were only a few people inside, so it certainly wasnt crowded.Theyre also handicap accessible.
It’s a tiny small space, but it packs a lot into it. The exhibitions were varied, each working well together but very diverse. The price is fantastic; pay-what-you-can, which does deserve a few bucks for what it offers. The curators are worthy of a larger space, to pack more of their great selections into a space.
Exhibiting work from a collection of over 7,000 images as well as new artists, the Museum of Photographic Arts is one of only three museums in the United States that is devoted entirely to the collection and preservation of photography, film, and video. Since it was founded in 1983, the museum’s endeavors consistently address cultural, historical, and social issues through its exhibitions and educational programs. Its exhibits represent the entire history of photography, its aesthetic movements, and technological advancements. The museum’s collection illustrates the complex and varied history of the medium, focusing largely on modern and contemporary work, social documentary photography and photojournalism in particular. In addition, the museum houses a state-of-the-art movie theater that often holds international film festivals.
All of Balboas museums are amazing. Recomend going on free Tuesdays if you are a San Diego resident. But even if you are just visiting it is still a good place to stop by. Its definitely a place where you can waste a day and its so close to the zoo that you can just walk to the zoo which is something I personally like about it.
Small museum with interesting exhibitions by lesser known artists, especially women and people of color. A large portion of the gallery was closed for setting up a new exhibit while we were there. $5 recommended donation seemed a little high for the size of the place but the curation is good so no real concern.
One of my favorite museums at Balboa Park. It hosts smaller but very unusual photography exhibits that Ive spent hours enjoying. The exhibits do change frequently and range from a wide variety of landscape to portrait exhibits to specific topics. Its a small location compared to other Balboa park museums but always worth stopping in. They also host special events such as fashion and entertainment industry cocktail hours and exhibits. I suggest getting on their email list for personal invites and advance notice of events.
Very nice place. Pictures are from different eras. Theres a cool Self Portrait Kiosk where you can take selfies and use sound waves to distort the pic. Then, after three pic you get to print them for free and take then home.Admission is a donation. Just ask for an entrance sticker, then place donation in the box after you enter.
I loved this museum, it was my favorite that I visited in Balboa Park. The donation-based admission was a sigh or relief for my broke hostel-jumping self. Many museums in Balboa Park I had to pass on due to admission prices. I loved all of the exhibits and the layout of the space. Very easy to maneuver and take everything in. Some of these other reviewers complaining of repeated artists should maybe learn what an exhibition is.
We caught the last 30 minutes on a free Tuesday afternoon, but we still were able to see the famous and varied paintings, sculptures and exhibits. Worth a second look as you could sit there all day checking everything out.
We visit MOPA often. It regularly has new exciting exhibits. It is not an all day experience, but it is in Balboa Park which offers many other great places to visit. They are all in walking distance of each other. We usually do two and then walk the park.
Maybe my expectations are too high, but this museum didnt do much for me. They used black and white on every single photo. It was honestly an eye sore. There were so many beautiful shots that were just dulled by the lack of color. Maybe that is the norm for photography exhibits, but it kind of ruined the experience for me. The museum itself is pretty small, so we finished everything in about 20 minutes. I visited because this was included in the explorer pass, but Ill skip this museum next time.
Inspiring repository of photographs that reveal secrets of our world if only we have the skills to look in unlikely places. Though not a big museum , each exhibit here wakes me up to new perspectives of what LIFE looks like and means to a broad range of people. The walk here via the Prado is always an adventure . Particularly like the exhibits that are placed immediately left when entering this museum. This time The Brain and a souvenir photo booth made for good memories at the museum.
A very nice museum to visit if youre in San Diego. They had several exhibitions to view and a train museum in the lower level. No specific admission fee, based on donation only, for the photography exhibits. The train museum is separate and does have a set admission fee.
Really awesome donation based museum with very interesting rotating exhibits. Would recommend to people trying to find motivation or creative ideas to help inspire them to go out and get photographs just as fantastic as the ones found here.
Fantastic exhibitions, with a solid focus on local, as well as south and central american artists. Great collection, really enjoyed the visit.Would benefit from larger galleries. Admission was by donatation, so Im not going to complain, however overall experience was well above expectation.
I REALLY wanted to love this museum. Im a huge shutterbug, and I enjoy both the technical aspects and art that is photography. But this museum seemed to be lacking both. There wasnt much about the science of photography, and the exhibits seemed to be missing something. I was disappointed to see half of the exhibit space taken up by self-portraits. Its kind of cliche.You shoulld visit here if you have a week or annual pass. Otherwise, i would skip it.
What a fantastic museum and staff. You guys put on the best exhibitions!
Very nice museum of photographic arts on the ground of Balboa Park in San Diego. Many photos from famous early photographers like Ansel Adams and a description of how early photography was done, along with rotating exhibits. No entrance fee, but donation suggested. Worth a stop.
Very nice little gallery some interactive fun exhibits.Some of the art was redundant but art is art so go check it out and post a review.-1🌟star bathroom was stinkyI would recommend this to friends and family.- 1 🌟star Not a good value!!!Little pricey💲
Incredible amount of variety. Authentic setup.Thank you.
Watched the film showcase of Options For All and inclusion films with Joey Travolta in the beautiful starlit theater. 💖
I attended a screening of The Is Home as part of the International Documentary Film Series. The theater was very nice with comfortable seating. One critique is with the temperature - the place was freezing. I encourage you to bring a jacket.
Small but interesting photographic museum. You can check what they are cuttently exhibiting online. Small gift shop. You can donate what you want toward keeping the museum ongoing. They suggest $10 as of this review.
The Museum of Photography has several beautiful photogalleries, and several interactive art exhibits. The museum accepted a donation as an entrance fee, and had 3-4 rooms to walk through.
Scavenger Hunt for December Nights was super fun! The Museum was free for a few hours on Friday. And we love their Italian Film Festival offerings.
Great little venue that does a good job of rotating its displays to always have something fresh. Has an intimate feeling to it. Definitely my favorite museum in Balboa.
Get there before February 17, as the Irving Penn exhibit, Beyond Beauty, is beyond anything else you will see in Balboa Park. A stunning exhibit by a true legend of photography.
MOPA was a nice find as we strolled through Balboa Park. The featured exhibit was Flor Garduño: Trilogy featuring some amazing large format photography from this renowned Mexican photographer. This exhibit occupied the three larger galleries. There was a small exhibit of National Park photography and then the final gallery with a history of photography on display. They have a fantastic gift shop with a wide variety of photo books and other artwork. The cost is pay as you go with a recommended $5/attendee entry.
Uninterested staff, small and few images.....good collection of photography from Australia. No well known California photographers from the past. A few photos with a political point of view. Cannot recommend. New exhibit in preparation.
This is a review for the MOPA as a wedding venue: Ever since moving to San Diego, I had always dreamed of a wedding in Balboa Park. I had never been to the MOPA before, but when I found glowing reviews of it online and saw the pictures of it, I was immediately in love. Fortunately, my now husband loved it too. It was the only venue we actually visited because once we saw the space in person and met Melissa the coordinator, we knew that was where we wanted our reception. Melissa is an absolute joy and made the planning process not only easy and stress free, but fun! When there was a change in the exhibit, Melissa and the MOPA Director worked with us to make sure that our vision could still come to life. And when the forecast said rain (and our ceremony and cocktail hour were both planned for outside), Melissa worked with us to come up with a great backup plan (which we thankfully didnt need). I could go on and on about the night itself, but let me just say, it was PERFECT. When I walked in for the first time, I was overwhelmed by how gorgeous the everything looked and with a wedding of 60 people, the place felt spacious but cozy. The MOPA staff was amazing, as was the recommended caterer, and best of all, our guests, LOVED it, and loved that they got to walk around and check out the art and activities. In the end, we had the perfect wedding with a unique juxtaposition between our ceremony and cocktail hour in front of the Botanical Building and then the reception in the sleek, modern MOPA.
This museum is donation-based - I wouldnt pay a ton to visit, but worth a couple of bucks if youre strolling along in Balboa Park. Amazing gift shop.
New exhibit at the museum featuring Australia. I always enjoy visiting this place because it usually has something for everyone. My husband even likes going!
A little small but there is no fee just a suggested donation for the museum. It is a nice opportunity to see some photography and the gallery is set up very nice.
The second Tuesday of each month MOPA is free for San Diego county residents. Always well-curated. Some exhibits are not for young children.
My last visit here was well over a year ago. It seems they change their exhibits, so it was a different experience from the last time I was here. Currently they are featuring Irving Penn.
Saw an incredibly inspiring Irving Penn retrospective. Wonderful. Learning about his printing techniques gave me a deeper sense of awe at Penns expertise.
Great little photography museum to visit while youre in Balboa Park. The museum curator does a phenomenal job selecting a wide range of artist disciplines.
Cool and calming environment. Super discounted tixs today because they are in the midst of an art installation. Good works installed....catch the current installation by local kids. Very poignant.
I visited the second Tuesday June 2018. I was impressed with the variety of exhibits and the quantity within each. Great job, MOPA!
The pictures are very beautiful in person. They have a few unexpected things but overall if you are into photography of any sort it is a must see!
Very nice museum nice layout and easy to move through. Unfortunately I dont appreciate photography like I should. I just wasnt in to it.
Reverberate: Sound + Image 13th Annual Juried Youth Exhibition Now through Jan 09, 2019Since 2006, MOPA has held an annual juried exhibition showcasing the photographic talents of youth in San Diego and Tijuana. Every year, students are encouraged to submit work that responds visually to a particular theme. The winning entries are selected for their creativity and artistic interpretation. This year students responded to the theme “Sound.” The exhibition highlights the students’ imaginative approaches to visualizing what we can hear but not always see.Reverberate: Sound and Imageis made possible by the generous support of Adobe; the California Arts Council; City of San Diego; County of San Diego; Farrell Family Foundation; Barbara Freeman, Jewish Community Foundation; the Gardner Bilingual Fund; Jeff & Patty Maysent; Rice Family Foundation; ResMed Foundation; San Diego Lions Welfare Foundation; Walter J. & Betty C. Zable Foundation; Wells Fargo Foundation, and U.S. Bank Foundation.
First rate exhibitions if you havent been to it you should. Free second Tuesday admissions to San Diego residents.
Beautiful museum, I loved visiting here when I lived here. I saw a lecture here and it was worth it. Nice place to walk around and soak up photos.
Extremely well done, gift shop has a good variety, exhibit currently thought provoking and well laid out Liked fact they involved community as well.
Absolutely incredible exhibit. Was able to attend a conference about early Russian photography 1920s such an incredible experience
The staff are nice and their exhibits change every now and then so your experience is different every time.
My Mom took a photo of her mother here to be rescued. The did a beautiful restoration of the portrait.Thank you so very much.
Glad that you can donate as much as you want. I like it!
The only place in San Diego with a Camera Lens Mug!!! If you need a gift for a photographer their gift store is the perfect place to go!!!
I enjoy Italian film screenings at MoPA, it has a comfortable theatre, the tiny lights in the ceiling give the impression of cinema under the stars.
For such a small space, this museum is excellent and only a suggested donation of 5$ which you can choose to not pay.
The best they had a young people exhibit
A fascinating lecture series about performances done at public sites to create a shared culture among all of our diverse communities!
The staff is knowledgeable and kind. We had a great time exploring this little bit of San Diego history.
Great exhibits. Good variety. Thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
Great staff, great venue for screening films!
It is small but there were several photo techniques shown that I had never seen or thought about. FYI there are some nude photos, but they are done in a tasteful way.
Attended the Arab Film Festival.
Kind of too less covered , but loved the live photo booth, you can print the photos as well(size of strips)
This place is truly amazing, and free to enter if you dont wish to donate.
A number of galleries & rooms of interesting photos by theme or subject. Also has a theater with guest speakers & movies.
They have great exhibits and are located in beautiful Balboa Park.
Saw a very good temp exhibition of Irving Penns work, well laid out and lit.
Very interesting museum in Balboa Park. Donation entry. Will be very interesting for photographers
Always great I went here to watch a movie and hear a talk from the filmmaker after always attracts a smart and engaged crowd.
It is an small museum, but nice. You choose how much to pay.
Small, somewhat disappointing.
We went there for a conference dinner, very original idea. You will find very interesting artwork.
Attended for SD Italian Film Festival but enjoyed photos en route to theater
Felt that the collection was poor and staff did not care. Much better to just enjoy the park and not waste time or money here.
Enjoyed it. Was there for Italian film festival. Looked at exhibition before and after.
I loved this gallery and the people make youy want to give a generous donation
Such a cool place! Awesome exhibits
Didnt care for this museum at all. Had nudity pictures and no history on photography.
Great park. Small museum with a unique collection.
With free tickets for BOA holder, this museum is awesome for photographs lover.
Very nice experience! Definitely worth visiting again.
Im not a very good photographer but from time to time I will go in here and view what they have but I am not an art expert.
This is a vital and underrated art institution. Solid rotation of exhibits.
It was very inspiring and I really enjoyed the different work that was presented.
Another great museum at balboa park!
Informative, intimate collection. Plenty of information on each series, excellent curation.
Nice museum in Balboa Park. Exhibits change regularly.
Great place to view pictures and designs. Love this place.
Love it!
By far my favorite museum in the whole Balboa Park area!.
Good collection of early to contemporary photos.
Cool photography museum with always changing displays.
Beautiful collection and wonderful staff makes for a great experience.
Great movie as part of the Italian Festival.
A quick, interesting and free stop within Balboa park.
😍
I was expecting less multi media art, and more traditional photography
I love this place, always new exhibitions
Wonderful art nicely arranged a pleasure to visit.
When does this place even open? I went and they were closed. Though on Google it said open. I called and no answer
Not my thing but I can see what they were trying to do.
THE EXHIBITS ARE GREAT, THE LADY AT THE FRONT DESK IS CRABBY & RUDE: IT SOURED MY EXPERIENCE.
Loved it alot of interactive things to do
Bank of American collection that is currently on display is amazing!
Voluntary contribution is a nice touch, really beautiful pieces
It was ok if you like obscure pics its for you
Always love the different exhibits
Wonderful displays, arranged logically and tastefully.
Fascinating displays. Very well put together.
A really nice place!
This best thing is being able to take you picture in a picture device.
Thorough and well arranged photographs of artists career.
Very impressive. I wish it would have little bigger...
Well I kind of love looking at photography🤣
Small but great exhibitions
Loved the pictures from high school students !
Not much learning, a lot of photos, but its free right?
Excellent small museum!
Fun they have some cool pictures
Large exhibition space, just wish there was more!
Lot of great exhibits
Great experience !
Great youth art display!
Awesome place to go out to with the family
The exhibitions get better and better. Love this place.
Great pictures and well presented.
Google pictures search engine is waaaaay better
Not a bad museum.
Great awsome museum
Great exhibition space.
Lots of beautiful artwork.
Partially open due to instillation in progress.
The art is free with donations.
Great exhibits.
Had fun
Beautiful small museum
Well worth admissions
Very cool and clean
Great museum.
Amazing display!
Fun!
Show.
Good!
Beautiful theater
Interesting. photos as art.
Amazing art!!
Loved this place!
Great photos
Always illuminating...!!!
Just lovely.
Always fantastic!
Love this place
Amazing art
This place is awesome.
Nice expositon
Very interesting
Love this location
Cant touch...
Singalong
Likely
4.5 (199 comments)
Review №1
2022-05-21I walked in unexpectedly and were immediately welcomed by very friendly staff. So I decided to take a look. It is a small museum but exhibits many outstanding photos. I am fascinated by the method of photographing animals and humans from the same spot; and see how they turn out as a combination.
Review №2
2022-01-16Where young photographers can get publicity ?Inside their own school ? Hardly.Publications, with circulation within their owncommunity ? Hardly.This is the place where future lens-meisters are presented to the generalpublic and might get the deserved attention.This is in addition to the establishments main exhibit (which at the time of our visit was Norman Seeff).Run by enthusiasts on the main avenue of the Balboa Park it is easy to find: it shares the entrance with the Model Railroad Museum.Come and appreciate their effort.BTW, it is free: pay whatever you feel the work of the organizersis worth to you.Photographers of the World - unite!
Review №3
2021-11-13This photography gallery has free admission, but donations are highly recommended. I was amazed by the exhibition of the childrens photography. Ther is a great future ahead of them. In addition, more interesting exhibits are on display. The museum also has a bookstore. Highly recommend visiting.
Review №4
2021-09-07Love all of the great exhibitions here. Definitely recommend checking out the current artists works on display before theyre gone in a couple weeks, and dont forget to go into the interactive section! Ill be going back, I just wish it were open until 5 and perhaps on Wednesdays and Thursdays; Friday-Sunday, 11-4 is a small window to get there.
Review №5
2022-05-22This has become one of my favorite museums. It is small with only a few (or fewer) exhibits at any given time. Their pay what you want policy makes it accessible to everyone. MOPA has introduced me to many wonderful photographers and given me an opportunity to experience their art in ways books and computer screens cant reproduce.
Review №6
2022-06-26Lovely museum. It is free but they take donations.
Review №7
2022-05-16Good experience except for the homeless camping right outside the entrance; after the event, one homeless man blocked one of the exit MOPA gates with his cane in order to enjoy dinner undisturbed and prepare for bed...
Review №8
2022-06-14Pay what you can. Great calm atmosphere and current exhibition has some good artists. Not super crowded even on weekend.
Review №9
2021-01-09Disappointing as a museum. It should be called a gallery dedicated to a single Artist. There is almost no history here, just a showcase of pictures for a so he person and almost all of it very recent.That aside, the photos were good and well laid out. More information about the trip and or processing would have been welcomed.
Review №10
2019-11-14I come to this museum every time I visit San Diego. The exhibits are always professionally displayed (framing,matting?, lighting). Ive been afforded the luxury of seeing some of their more unique pieces, such as Moonrise, Hernandez by Ansel Adams. The layout is a simple loop, with a nice entrance that has a synopsis or introduction to what you will be seeing. The last time I was there they had an international exhibit for young teens.Definitely recommend this place if you happen to be in the area, it never dissapoints***Please check as they donchange shows and you dont want to be caught while they change*** if they are in between shows, the other museums offer excellent alternatives.