Adults

Artist Talks

MCASB offers several artist talks each year 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.

To view past Artist Talks visit our YouTube channel!

smART Talks

The smART Talks lecture series serves to increase awareness of regional contemporary art through a series of three talks a year by local artists about their work, careers, and creative process. The series, begun in 1996, was created in honor of Helen Rosenberg, mother of Susan Rose, and grandmother of Julie Weiner, and honors artists who live and work in the Santa Barbara area.

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.

Third Thursday Studio

Third Thursday Studios provide unique opportunities to explore techniques and themes of contemporary art inspired by selected artworks in current exhibitions through hands-on experimentation under the guidance of a featured guest artist. Materials are provided and experience not needed.

Space is limited to 12 participants. Please RSVP to the Coordinator of Engagement at engagement@mcasantabarbara.org to reserve your spot.

Visiting Artist Series

MCASB’s Visiting Artist Series (VAS) pairs teaching artists with select non-profit organizations for (multi-visit) educational workshops that combine conversation and hands-on experimentation, inspire creativity and critical thinking, and promote meaningful engagement through contemporary art. Visiting Artist Series workshops can be held on site and off site.

To inquire about Visiting Artist Series (VAS) workshops please contact our Engagement Department at engagement@mcasantabarbara.org.

Art Study Tours (AST)

Travel with MCASB! Experience curated art travel like never before. MCASB curator-led Art Study Tours take guests to important private art collections, behind the scenes at major museums, art galleries, and into artist studios. These all-inclusive trips feature beautiful accommodations, the best and newest restaurants, and access to must-visit cultural hotspots. All trips are planned for a minimum of ten participants to ensure every attention to detail, with quality of experience paramount.

To inquire about upcoming Art Study Tours please contact our Development Department at development@mcasantabarbara.org


Past Events for Adults

  • Amie Siegel, RM # 1-21, 2014, Suite of 21 chromogenic color prints, Dimensions variable, Installation photo: Wayne McCall, Courtesy Ratio 3, San Francisco and Simon Preston Gallery, New York.

    Artist Talk with Amie Siegel – Beyond 2°

    For the past decade and a half, American artist Amie Siegel has worked between film, installation, photography and performance, rigorously questioning the tropes of cinematic…

  • Stephanie Washburn, Congratulations, You’ve Made a Wonderful Decision, 2016. 8 digital c-prints mounted on aluminum. Courtesy of the Artist.

    Stephanie Washburn – Artist Lecture

    Stephanie Washburn, Congratulations, You’ve Made a Wonderful Decision, 2016. 8 digital c-prints mounted on aluminum. Courtesy of the Artist. Stephanie Washburn lives in Ojai and…

  • Fabric: A New Art-making Series!

    The Third Thursday Studio program invites participants to explore techniques and themes of contemporary art inspired by artists in the exhibition through conversation and hands-on…

  • Maria Rendon. Photo courtesy of Leela Cyd.

    Maria Rendón: Artist Lecture

    Photo courtesy of Leela Cyd. The smART Talks lecture series serves to increase awareness of regional contemporary art through a series of three talks a year…

  • Wax: A New Art-making Series!

    The Third Thursday Studio program invites participants to explore techniques and themes of contemporary art inspired by artists in the exhibition through conversation and hands-on…

  • Beyond 2°: Fire Happy Hour at the Museum!

    Join us for Happy Hour at the Museum! $5 specialty cocktails created by Outpost at the Goodland’s resident mixologist Chris Burmeister, themed art activities in our…