This one-of-a-kind museum was founded in 1981 by artists Lili Lakich and Richard Jenkins in downtown Los Angeles before moving to Glendale in 2014.

Focused on showing off the art of the unique medium of neon, the museum rotates items in its permanent collection including neon signs from the Brown Derby and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. MONA also features numerous shows with the works of up-and-coming neon artists. Classes are offered for students to learn the skills of designing and building neon sculptures. 

There’s also a Plasma Room you can ask to be let into that features installations similar to a Tesla Coil but that are more varying in shape, size, and function. 

In addition to its continuously changing exhibits, the museum also sponsors nighttime bus tours of historic neon signs in the area. The museum opened in its Glendale location as part of the city’s plans for a dedicated Cultural Arts District. The intention is that will encompass the area from Colorado Boulevard northward to the Alex Theater. MONA was Glendale’s first art museum. It has art exhibits, and a terrific gift shop, hosts classes, and frequently updates its lobby displays.