JOAN is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit art space for exhibitions, performances, screenings, and discursive events

MISSION

JOAN is a nonprofit art space based in Los Angeles dedicated to experimental practices across disciplines. Through exhibitions, performances, screenings, discursive events, and publishing, we provide a platform for critical artistic production—particularly those from historically underrepresented communities, including women, non-binary, and LGBTQIA+ artists. We work closely with artists at key points in their careers to develop large-scale projects, emphasizing collaborations with thinkers, practitioners, and other spaces to help shape a living, evolving cultural dialogue.

Rooted in an expanded definition of feminism, our work centers inquiry, care, and community-building. JOAN supports practices that question dominant narratives and interrogate the systems influencing culture and society, inviting artists and audiences to reflect, challenge, and imagine new possibilities.

HISTORY

Founded in 2015 by three female curators, JOAN emerged from the legacy of feminist and alternative art spaces committed to experimentation and social critique. While we began in Los Angeles’ West Adams neighborhood, JOAN relocated in 2018 to the Bendix Building in Downtown’s Fashion District, next to Santee Alley.

From the beginning, JOAN has offered a platform for artists working outside commercial frameworks, with a focus on centering voices from underrepresented communities. Over the past decade, JOAN has collaborated with more than 150 local and international artists, many of whom presented their first institutional solo exhibitions with us at formative stages in their careers. In honoring this tradition of risk-taking and care, we remain devoted to amplifying art that challenges conventions and builds new cultural imaginaries.

All of our public programming is free or low-cost and accessible, and aims to hold creative, educational, and cultural value for the communities we serve.

We are grateful to our Supporters. Find more information here.

CONTACT

1206 Maple Avenue, Suite 715
Los Angeles, CA 90015

T 213 441 9009
us@joanlosangeles.org
Hours: Thursday – Saturday, 12 – 6pm

ACCESSIBILITY

JOAN is on the 7th floor and has a wheelchair accessible elevator, as well as an accessible bathroom on the first floor. Please contact us with any accessibility questions at 213 441 9009 or us@joanlosangeles.org.

PARKING

Bendix Building Garage: 408 East 12th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015
You can take the elevator directly to JOAN on the 7th floor. Garage is open until 6:30pm on weekdays and 6pm on weekends. Cash only parking is $5 for the first 30 minutes, $15 on weekdays and $20 on weekends for all day.

Metered street parking: Street parking meters are enforced until 6pm.

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TEAM

Suzy Halajian
Executive Director & Chief Curator

Nahui Garcia
Assistant Curator

Elaina Lorenzo Marino
Getty Marrow Curatorial Intern

COLLABORATORS

The Rodina
Design and Code

Ian Page
Installer

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Anne Ellegood, Chair
Summer Guthery
Linda Norden
January Parkos Arnall
Samuel Vasquez
Anuradha Vikram

FORMER TEAM

Summer Guthery, Co-Founder & Curator Emeritus (2015-2021)
Gladys-Katherina Hernando, Co-Founder & Curator Emeritus (2015-2017)
Rebecca Matalon, Co-Founder & Curator Emeritus (2015-2018)
Hannah Spears, Associate Curator (2019-2023)

Past interns: Ada James, Camila Pernisco, McKenna Warde