Since opening its doors in 1941, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA) has been the premier cultural institution for the visual arts in the Central Coast region of California. In its 80-year history, the museum facility has grown from 12,000 to 60,000 square feet and includes gallery space, an auditorium (154-seat), an education activities center, a museum store, and a Family Resource Center where museum-goers of all ages can participate in hands-on learning. As the only art museum in the region that exhibits a full range of visual art from all over the world, spanning all periods and genres, the SBMA is a major cultural destination for residents and visitors from around the globe.

The beneficiary of many generous donations of art objects, the SBMA continues to augment its acclaimed collection of over 20,000 art objects through a selective, scholarly acquisition process. SBMA’s principal strengths within the collections are 19th-century American and European art, Greek and Roman art, Asian art and antiquities, photography, and contemporary art. The Museum presents artwork from the SBMA permanent collection alongside international exhibitions organized by SBMA and other prominent institutions.

Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, SBMA has received peer-based endorsement of our operations, programs, and community impact since 1973. For six consecutive years, non-profit evaluator Charity Navigator has awarded the museum a Four-Star rating for the sustainability of our programs and services, our commitment to accountability and transparency, and overall financial health.