Santa Barbara Museum of Art

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA) is a leading nonprofit art museum located in downtown Santa Barbara, California.

History

Founded in 1941, the museum was established after local artist Colin Campbell Cooper proposed transforming the former Santa Barbara Post Office building into an art museum. The renowned Chicago architect David Adler was commissioned to modify the building's facade and create the museum's first galleries. Wright S. Ludington, one of the museum's key founders, donated nearly 400 objects to the permanent collection, including ancient and modern works.

Mission

The mission of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art is to integrate art into the lives of people, fostering a broad understanding and engagement with the world's great art while maintaining the highest aesthetic, intellectual, and professional standards. The museum is committed to serving and educating the public, championing diverse artistic expressions, and enhancing community life through its collections, exhibitions, and educational programs.

Collection

The museum's permanent collection comprises more than 25,000 works of art, spanning over 5,000 years of human creativity. The collection includes Asian, American, and European art, with particular strengths in 19th-century French art, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and contemporary American and Asian art. Notable works include classical antiquities and masterpieces of French Impressionism, including pieces by Claude Monet. The museum is also recognized for its distinguished collection of Latin American art, featuring the only intact mural in the United States by David Alfaro Siqueiros, Portrait of Mexico Today, 1932.

Exhibitions

The museum hosts a variety of exhibitions showcasing historical and contemporary artists. It also originates exhibitions that travel to other museums across the Americas and Europe.

Education and Community

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art provides extensive educational programs, reaching over 40,000 people annually in Santa Barbara County. These programs include free California State Standard-based education for students in grades K-12, after-school activities, and lifelong learning opportunities for adults. The museum offers over 800 gallery tours and slide talks annually through its 75-member Docent Council.

Operations

The museum relies heavily on private funding, receiving less than 1% of its budget from government grants and no regular tax support. Approximately 20% of its expenditures are dedicated to educational programs.

Notable Events

In 2023, the museum agreed to restitute a looted drawing by Egon Schiele, Portrait of the Artist's Wife, Edith, acknowledging the wrongful acquisition under Nazi persecution. This action demonstrated the museum's commitment to rectifying historical injustices.

Leadership

The museum is currently directed by Amada Cruz.

Curatorial Team

The museum's diverse curatorial staff includes Assistant Director and Chief Curator Eik Kahng, Curator of Contemporary Art James Glisson, Curator of Asian Art Susan Tai, and Curator of Photography and New Media Charlie Wylie.

Community Impact

Through its collections, exhibitions, and educational programs, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art plays a significant role in enhancing the quality of life in the community, fostering intellectual and aesthetic growth. The museum engages with local and global audiences, promoting the value of art in societal development.

[1] https://www.sbma.net/about/about-us [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara_Museum_of_Art [3] https://arts.ca.gov/grantee/santa-barbara-museum-of-art-13/ [4] https://www.sbma.net [5] https://www.mcasantabarbara.org/about/mission-vision/