Mission

Musée du Al exists to preserve and advance the radical spirit of artistic experimentation that emerged from the legendary Al’s Bar and the American Hotel in the late 20th century. Inspired by Marc Kreisel’s 1979 acquisition of the American Hotel—an act that catalyzed a vibrant, grassroots creative movement—the Musée is dedicated to honoring this legacy through exhibitions, performances, and educational initiatives that foreground living artists, challenge conventional narratives, and serve as a conduit for artistic innovation in the contemporary era.

We are committed to serving both the artist community and the broader public through dynamic programming that reflects the punk-Dadaist ethos foundational to Al’s Bar: irreverent, anti-commercial, and defiantly original. Our mission is not only to memorialize a vital chapter in Los Angeles cultural history, but to activate that spirit in new generations of artists and audiences.