MOCA–the Museum of Contemporary Art–opened 30 years ago in Los Angeles. To celebrate the anniversary, the museum opens its largest installation tomorrow, featuring more than 500 works from more than 200 artists from its own permanent collection.

Getting to the 30-year milestone hasn’t been easy for the museum, which nearly suffered a complete financial breakdown last year. According to the Los Angeles Times:

MOCA’s fiscal crisis wasn’t just a product of last year’s global meltdown. It followed nearly a decade of chronic fundraising shortfalls, during which museum leaders steadily spent down a $38-million endowment to continue the ambitious exhibitions that helped cement its reputation for presenting perhaps the world’s finest roster of shows dedicated exclusively to post- World War II art. When the worldwide economic woes hit, they left MOCA nearly tapped out.

But financial woes aside, MOCA is ready to party. Tonight’s VIP anniversary gala is being headlined by Lady Gaga. And the MOCA ♥ YOU week-long event begins tomorrow with free museum admission during regular museum hours through Friday at MOCA Grand Avenue and The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, courtesy of Ovation TV.

And of course, there’s the art.

The new exhibition features a comprehensive look at contemporary art history from the past 70 years, including pop art, abstract expressionism and photography. Highlighted artists and works include: Jackson Pollock’sNumber 1, 1949 (1949); Willem de Kooning’s Two Women with Still Life (1952); Alberto Giacometti’s Tall Figure II and Tall Figure III (1960); Roy Lichtenstein’s Man with Folded Arms (1962); Jean-Michel Basquiat’sSix Crimee (1982) and Edward Ruscha’s Chocolate Room (1970-2004).

Collection: MOCA’s First Thirty Years at MOCA Grand Avenue and The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA

Nov. 15, 2009-May 3, 2010

via LAist.