Programs & Mixers
Artist Talks
featuring visiting and local artists, scholars, curators, and other special guests. These conversations provide the Santa Barbara community with the opportunity to engage with exhibiting contemporary artists, learn about their processes and inspirations, and participate in creative, intellectual discussion.


Curated Cocktails
Enjoy Happy Hour with art, music, and friends at Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara during Curated Cocktails -- a popular culture and libations series, presented in conjunction with Downtown Santa Barbara’s monthly 1st Thursdays.
Located on the beautiful Paseo Nuevo Upper Arts Terrace in the heart of Santa Barbara, Curated Cocktails feature unique themes inspired by the current exhibitions.
Enjoy after-hours museum access, signature cocktails, DJ sets, and interactive art experiences.
Visiting Artist Series
The Museum’s Visiting Artist Series (VAS) pairs professional teaching artists with local schools, after-school programs, and nonprofit organizations for multi-visit educational workshops. These sessions combine conversation with hands-on experimentation to inspire critical thinking and promote meaningful engagement through contemporary art.
Program Highlights:
-
Customized Learning: Workshops are tailored to the needs of each group and meet Academic Content Standards for Visual Arts.
-
Flexible Locations: Programs can be held on-site at the museum or off-site at your facility.
-
On-Site Experience: Museum visits include tours directed by Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) and hands-on activities led by a teaching artist and museum staff.
More information about VTS tours can be found on our Tours & Guides page. Inquire Today To learn more or schedule a workshop, please contact our Engagement Department at: engagement@mcasantabarbara.org


Teen Arts Collective (TAC)
MCASB Teen Arts Collective (TAC) is a hands-on program that makes the contemporary art world accessible for Santa Barbara students ages 15-18. Over the course of the program, TAC members develop visual literacy skills, strengthen leadership abilities, and begin cultivating their own creative networks through exposure to practicing artists and arts institutions in the Santa Barbara and Los Angeles areas.
This will be accomplished through:
-
Meeting with locally and internationally acclaimed leaders in the arts
-
Field trips to local galleries, artists’ studios, and distinguished regional arts institutions
-
Workshops and discussions in weekly, after-school meetings
-
Planning and curating a culminating exhibition of TAC participants’ artwork
For more information about TAC please email hello@mcasantabarbara.org
