Events

Shows, receptions, and other events.

Beautiful Journey Project Coming to MSME

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EVENT
February 22nd, 5-7PM

The Museum of Sensory & Movement Experiences

We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of Beautiful Journey, an immersive art exhibition coming to our Museum of Sensory & Movement Experiences this February. A collaborative project, produced by Peter Brill and created by a team of cutting edge artists, this unique installation combines cutting-edge virtual reality with profound artistic expression, offering visitors an introspective experience to reflect on their lives and imagine the possibilities ahead. Read more about the project here.

About the Project
Beautiful Journey Team

Before the official opening, we invite art enthusiasts and supporters to join us on February 15, 2025, for an exclusive fundraiser event. Guests will have the opportunity to be among the first to experience Beautiful Journey in a safe intimate setting, enjoy meaningful discussions insights gained from the experience, and support The Arts Fund’s mission to connect the community with transformative art experiences.

For more information on how to participate, please reach out to Mackenzie Taylor at mackenzie@artsfundsb.org.

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2024 Teen Arts Mentorship Exhibition

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OPENING RECEPTION
November 15th, 5-8PM

The Arts Fund Community Gallery / FREE ADMISSION

Visit our Community Gallery to see the annual Teen Arts Mentorship Exhibition, our annual show featuring work from the emerging high school artists of Santa Barbara County! The opening reception will take place during the bimonthly La Cumbre Art Walk.

The exhibition will feature multimedia work from the 12 young South County artists that participated in The Arts Fund’s 2024 fall Teen Arts Mentorship Program workshops, including “Creative Expression with Typewriters” with Simon Kiefer and “Expressive Figure Drawing” with Austin Raymond & Chiara Corbo. Students represent a range of schools throughout South Santa Barbara County, including Dos Pueblos High, Santa Barbara High, Goleta Valley Junior High, and Harvest School.

Following the reception, the Gallery will be open to the community during regular hours Wed-Sun 11AM-5PM until the end of January 2025.

Top-down view of four young artists creating colorful pin back buttons.

Learn more & stay in the loop:

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Plaza Palooza

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EVENT
November 3rd, 12-4PM

The Michael Towbes Library Plaza, Santa Barbara Public Library

The Arts Fund will be tabling at Plaza Palooza, the grand opening of the Michael Towbes Library Plaza on Sunday, November 3rd from 12-4pm. Come say hi, learn more about our programs, and check out opportunities to get involved!

More information about the event can be found here.

Spectrum of Identity Art Show

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OPENING EVENT
October 12th, 5-8PM

The Arts Fund Community Gallery / Tickets by donation; contact SBTAN

The Santa Barbara Transgender Advocacy Network (SBTAN) presents the “Spectrum of Identity Art Show: Celebrating Trans and Neurodiverse Artists.” Following the opening event, admission will be free; the show will remain on display in the Community Gallery until November 1st.

SBTAN seeks art in any medium by artists who identify as trans, nonbinary, agender, genderfluid, (etc.) and/or neurodiverse for an event celebrating and bringing visibility to the beauty and diversity of gender and neurodiverse experiences. The gender and neurodiverse communities have a significant overlap that is not always acknowledged, so this art show is meant to bring awareness to the intersectionality of these identities and uplift those who identify with one or both! All proceeds for any art sold will go directly to the artist. Please contact info@sbtan.org to learn more.

UCSB ART & Art History Welcome Fair

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EVENT
October 2nd, 3:30-5PM

UCSB Arts Building

The Arts Fund will be tabling at the second annual UCSB Art and History of Art and Architecture department’s Welcome Fair on Friday, October 2nd, 2024 from 3:30-5pm in the UCSB Arts Building. Come say hi, learn more about our programs, and check out some opportunities to get involved!

This year the event will be kicked off by the esteemed new Chairs of the Art departments, Professor Shana Moulton and Professor Jenni Sorkin, and will include a scavenger hunt, where students will be directed to visit the Art Labs, IRC, and AD&A Museum.

2024 Pacific Pride Festival

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EVENT
August 24th, 11AM-7PM

Chase Palm Park Field / FREE ADMISSION

Come see us at booth #40 during Pacific Pride Festival! We’re excited to support our vibrant LGBTQ+ community in Santa Barbara County with a day of food, music and family friendly fun and celebration. Stop by our booth to learn more about our programs and how you can get involved, and create an art piece to take home! See you there!

Learn more:
https://bit.ly/PPFSummerofPride

APIDA Heritage Month Celebration

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EVENT
May 11th, 3:15-3:30PM

Little Acorn Park, Isla Vista / FREE ADMISSION

Come celebrate APIDA heritage month with us as we and Isla Vista Recreation & Parks District (@ivrpd) unveil a mural by local UCSB artist Riqui!

The reveal will take place 3:15-3:30 in Little Acorn Park. After the unveiling, Riqui will give a talk on the inspiration behind the iconography of her work.

See you there!

2024 APIDA Celebration mural designed & painted by Riqui.

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PUBLIC ART PROGRAM

Synthetic Realms: a Multimedia Concert

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EVENT
December 10th, 4PM

Museum of Sensory & Movement Experiences / FREE ADMISSION

Join us for a combined program of audiovisual compositions by Constantin Basica and Andrew A. Watts. The works ponder on contemporary and futuristic issues related to global climate change, artificial intelligence, time travel and time loops, the multiverse, and the end of our known universe.

Included in the concert is a new large-scale electronic composition involving video and 6-channel audio by Watts, as well as a selection of live performances with electronics and video by Basica.

Learn more & stay in the loop:

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2023 Teen Arts Mentorship Exhibition

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OPENING RECEPTION
November 17th, 5-8PM

The Arts Fund Community Gallery / FREE ADMISSION

The Arts Fund is honored to showcase a youth centered show from teens in Santa Barbara, Goleta, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. Join us in celebrating the 12 local student artists during the upcoming La Cumbre Art Walk. Our thanks to the mentors for their intentional and inspirational mentorship to these emerging artists.

Following the reception, the Gallery will be open to the community during regular hours Wed-Sun 11AM-5PM until the end of January 2025.

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Monster Drawing Rally

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EVENT
September 16th, 12PM-5PM

La Cumbre Plaza / FREE ADMISSION

Save the date! We’re turning 40 this year, and would love for you to celebrate with us. Watch local artists create in real time, and join us on our journey to foster the arts in Santa Barbara County!

Thank you @philippericardart for designing our material for this event!

Learn more & stay in the loop:

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Nuanced Peoples: Celebrating Latinx Identities

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OPENING RECEPTION
September 15th, 5-8PM

The Arts Fund Community Gallery / FREE ADMISSION

New exhibition opening this Friday: “Nuanced Peoples: Exploring Latinx Identities” curated by @jesbala and featuring work from Rabbit.Print, Jossilette Serrano, Cynthia Rodriguez, Stefanie Rodriguez, and Jesús Balandrano Ramírez.

This opening reception will be coinciding with The Arts Fund Art Walk on September 15th!

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Nurturing the Youth

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OPENING RECEPTION
July 21st, 5-8PM

The Arts Fund Community Gallery / FREE ADMISSION

This Friday, join us for Nurturing the Youth: an Exhibition of Established Artist Mentors! The Arts Fund Art Walk and Community Gallery opening reception is happening from 5-8pm. We are honored to showcase 11 past mentors who led sessions of our Teen Arts Mentorship Program in Santa Barbara County. Can you believe the program turns 30 this year?

Learn more & stay in the loop:

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Never One Without the Other

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OPENING RECEPTION
May 19th, 5-8PM

The Arts Fund Community Gallery / FREE ADMISSION

Creativity is at the heart of both art and science. It propels the questions we ask, the ways we approach problems, and how we continue to stay inspired. Never One Without the Other: Exploring the Bounds of Art and Science aims to showcase how individuals define the boundaries between art and science in their own work and practice. 

Featured artists include: Luise Gleason, Hannah Anderson, Erik Beahrs, David Rodriguez, Sriram Ramamurthy, and curator Chiara Corbo. 

If you’re in La Cumbre Plaza, stop in during our open hours! This show will be on view May 19th-July 15th in our Community Gallery.

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2023 Teen Arts Mentorship Dance Showcase

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EVENT
May 4th, 7PM

Center Stage Theater / FREE ADMISSION

Over the last 10 weeks, professional choreographer and award winning dancer PARIS has been mentor for our Teen Arts Mentorship Program. She worked with 10 local students ages 14-17, representing 3 schools, to prepare a multiple genre showcase in beautiful downtown Santa Barbara.

Our Teen Arts Mentorship program is turning 30 this year, and is tuition-free to all students in Santa Barbara County. This showcase is free to the community! Just RSVP to reserve your spot.

Learn more & stay in the loop:

NEWSLETTER
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