The Museum of Neon Art (MONA) is an institution that exists to encourage learning and curiosity through the preservation, collection, and interpretation of neon art. The first museum devoted to art that incorporates neon lighting, it exclusively exhibits art in electric media, including kinetic art and outstanding examples of historic neon signs. The collection includes neon signs from the Brown Derby and Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

For over 20 years Kim Koga was executive director, overseeing crucial moves of the institution and finding it a home in Glendale. In 2020 Corrie Siegel was appointed as executive director.

In addition to exhibitions and tours, the museum offers introductory classes in glass bending held in the museum's state-of-the-art studio.

History

Arts District (1981–1992)

MONA was founded in 1981 by Lili Lakich and Richard Jenkins in Downtown Los Angeles' Arts District.

Universal CityWalk (1993–1995)

In 1993, MONA moved to Universal CityWalk

Grand Hope Park (1996–2007)

In 1996, MONA moved to Grand Hope Park, in the South Park district of Downtown Los Angeles.

Historic Core (2008–2011)

In 2008, MONA moved to Downtown Los Angeles' Historic Core.

Glendale (since 2016)

The Historic Core location closed in 2011, and the museum reopened in Glendale, California in 2016.

MONA's Glendale facility was designed by Shimoda Design Group, and was adapted from two existing structures: a pharmacy and a video arcade. A public paseo, created through strategic demolition, bisects the site and draws visitors across a landscaped deck to Central Park and Central Library.

Collection

The museum holds numerous items, including neon art, clocks, photographs, and neon signs.

Some key objects in the Museum's collection include:

• Derby sign from Brown Derby (1929)
• "Rugs" sign from Pasadena Rug Mart, an early Armenian American-owned business (1930s)
• Dragon sign from Grauman's Chinese Theatre (1957)
• Animated sign from Body Builders Gym, a gay-friendly gym in Silver Lake, Los Angeles (1970s)
• Architectural sign from Man's Country, longest-running gay bathhouse in Chicago (1970s)
• Parking sign from Midtowne Spa, one of the oldest gay bathhouses in Los Angeles (1970s)
• Sign from Circus of Books, a bookstore and gay pornography store in West Hollywood (1980s)

Exhibitions

Memorial to Armenian Genocide (2021)

A window-based public display in honor of Armenian History Month, marking the 106th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Light in the Dark: Queer Narratives in Neon (2023)

In 2023, as part of the One Institute's Circa: Queer Histories Festival, MONA organized "Light in the Dark: Queer Narratives in Neon", featuring signs from LGBT businesses. Programming included a panel discussion with filmmaker Rachel Mason, sex educator Buck Angel, and GALAS LGBTQ+ Armenian Society.

Tours

Neon Night Walks

MONA offers guided walking tours through various Los Angeles County neighborhoods, including Glendale, Koreatown, Hollywood, the Broadway Theatre District, and Chinatown.

Neon Cruise

MONA offers double-decker bus tours, which depart from Downtown's Historic Core and visit locations including Chinatown and Hollywood.