A course in noticing, feeling, and learning through museums.
In this first ILA Institute episode of the Wandering Through series, we explore three very different museums in Los Angeles as spaces for intuitive, place-based learning. This is about slowing down, letting yourself wander, and noticing what moves you.
This is the future of education.
We do not have someone to tell us what to learn or what to pay attention to. This allows the knowledge to find us. We avoid forcing ourselves to learn a bunch of pointless information.
LISTEN HERE
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FEATURED MUSEUMS
🖼️ Pasadena History Museum
- Current Exhibit:
- 100 YEARS – 100 IMAGES
- Why it matters:
- Blurs the line between history and art
- Incorporates different art styles and stories
- Founded:
- 1924
- Address:
- 470 W Walnut St, Pasadena, CA 91103
- Parking:
- Parking is complimentary in the lot off of Walnut Street, near the corner of Orange Grove Boulevard.
- Admission:
- Adults $9
Seniors (62+) $7
PMH members, students, & visitors under 18 FREE
- Adults $9
- Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: 12–5 PM
- Friday: 12–5 PM
- Saturday: 12–5 PM
- Sunday: 12–5 PM
- Website: https://pasadenahistory.org/
🏛️ Mini Museum at Burbank YMCA
- Forever Exhibit:
- History of YMCA
- Why it matters:
- A surprising example of local storytelling in an unexpected place
- A surprising influence that the YMCA has had internationally
- Founded:
- 1924
- Address:
- 321 E Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502
- Parking:
- Parking is complimentary in the lot behind the YMCA off E San Jose Ave near 3rd St
- Admission:
- Membership required, but they do offer free tours so you can just ask the front desk
- Hours:
- Sunday: 9:00 am – 1:30 pm
- Monday: 6:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Tuesday: 6:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Wednesday: 6:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Thursday: 6:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Friday: 6:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Website:
🕯️ Holocaust Museum LA
- Current Exhibits:
- Why it matters:
- Invites emotional presence, empathy, and historical depth
- Founded:
- 1961
- It is the first survivor-founded and oldest Holocaust museum in the United States.
- Its genesis dates to the 1960s, when a group of survivors met and discovered that each of them had a photograph, document, or personal item from before the war.
- They decided that these artifacts needed a permanent home where they could be displayed safely and in perpetuity.
- They also wanted a place to memorialize their loved ones who perished and help to educate the public so that no one would ever forget.
- Address:
- 100 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90036
- Parking:
- Parking is complimentary in the Pan Pacific Park, just follow the signs and walk down to the museum. It’s a quick 5 mins walk through the park.
- Hours:
- Sunday: 10am – 5pm
- Monday: 10am – 5pm
- Tuesday: 10am – 5pm
- Wednesday: 10am – 5pm
- Thursday: 10am – 5pm
- Friday: 10am – 5pm
- Saturday: 10am – 5pm
- Admission:
- Admission is always free for Students.
- General admission is $15.
- Admission is free all-day Sunday.
- Get Tickets
- Website:
Share + Subscribe
If this episode spoke to you—or sparked something new—share it with a friend who might need it too.
To stay connected with the ILA journey:
📬 Subscribe to the newsletter for new episodes, behind-the-scenes reflections, and intuitive learning prompts
🎧 Follow the podcast wherever you listen
📸 Join the conversation on Instagram @ilainstitute
💬 And if something landed with you, leave a comment—I’d love to hear what resonated.
Learning is better together. Thanks for being here.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
🖼 What moment or object stayed with you the longest? Describe it—and reflect on why it moved you.
👣 How did it feel to wander without a plan? What came up emotionally or mentally when you let go of structure?
🎧 What stories did these museums tell? And what stories did they leave out?
🌿 Where did your body feel most at ease—or most tense—during your visit? Track your physical experience as a form of learning.
🕯 What questions did you leave with that you didn’t have when you arrived?
📍 Did any space feel personal or familiar—even if you’d never been there before? Why do you think that is?
🗣 What would you say to the person who curated the exhibit you loved most? What would you thank them for?
🔍 When you didn’t understand something right away, how did you respond? What does that reveal about your learning habits?
💭 What does a “living classroom” mean to you after this experience?
✨ If you could create your own museum exhibit—about anything—what would it be called, and what would be in it?
ABOUT ILA INSTITUTE
ILA Institute is reimagining education as something deeply intuitive, place-based, and wonder-driven. Learn more about who we are here.
ABOUT YOUR GUIDE
Hi, I’m Laura—founder of ILA Institute and your guide for this series.
I created ILA for people who’ve felt out of place in traditional education—people who learn by feeling, by noticing, by wandering. I’m deeply interested in how we come to know what we know, and what happens when we trust curiosity to lead the way.
With a background in teaching, writing, and intuitive research, I believe learning should feel alive, personal, and full of wonder. Through this series, I’m not here to be an expert—I’m here to walk beside you, to ask questions, and to make space for unexpected insight.
Whether you’re reimagining your relationship to learning or just tagging along for the ride, I’m so glad you’re here.
Let’s wander.
FOR MORE PLACES TO WANDER THROUGH
FOR MORE FROM YOUR GUIDE
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💬 Leave a Comment
Learning is more alive when it’s shared.
If something in this episode resonated, sparked a question, or reminded you of your own experience—drop it in the comments.
Whether it’s a small thought, a favorite museum memory, or a totally unexpected insight, I’d love to hear what came up for you.
Let’s keep the conversation going. This space is for that.
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