ArtVentures
at the Ridley-Tree Education Center at McCormick House
1600 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara

Just a short walk from the Museum is its off-site facility dedicated to hands-on art education for children, the Ridley-Tree Education Center at McCormick House. The site offers camps for students age 6-12 during winter and spring breaks, and camps and classes for children age 3-14 during the summer, in an atmosphere where creativity, studio art practices, and fun combine to create an enriching experience.

Click here to download the Summer brochure
For general information or registration call 962.1661, email rtec@sbma.net, or click on camps below.

Scholarships
We have reached our scholarship capacity for the summer, but please check back for more opportunities in future camp sessions. Scholarships are made possible through the generous support of the Ridley-Tree Foundation, Santa Barbara Foundation, Wright Trust, and the Ed Center Scholarship Fund.
 

 ArtVenture Camps
Monday - Friday, 9 am - 3 pm
At ArtVenture Camps children spend their day immersed in hands-on art making, cultural history, and creative problem solving. Lots of personal attention by professional artists and art educators, and the inspiring atmosphere of the beautiful McCormick House, guarantee an unique art experience. Children are grouped by age in four studios; art projects are suitable for each age group and are always new and exciting.
$215 SBMA-Members, $250 Non-Members

After Camp Care is also available with our ArtVenture Camps:

After Camp Care
Monday – Thursday, 3 – 5:30 pm
$25/day, $80 for all 4 days

Ceramics Camps
Monday – Friday, 9 am – 12 noon
These week-long half-day camps introduce sculptural and functional ceramics and include hand building, wheel throwing, finishing and glazing techniques around age appropriate and always new themes. Class size is limited to 10.
$185 SBMA-Members, $220 Non-Members

ArtVentures Extension and After Camp Care  is also available with our Ceramics Camps:

ArtVentures Extension
12 - 3 pm
Join ArtVenture Camp for the afternoon and participate in additional (non-ceramic) art projects following lunch and games at the park, story time and free art exploration in Luria Hall.
$100 SBMA Members, $125 Non-Members

After Camp Care
Monday – Thursday, 3 – 5:30 pm
$25/day, $80 for all 4 days

Parent/Child Classes
Wednesdays, 1:30 - 3 pm

Parents and children learn together as they explore imaginative clay play, which encourages manual dexterity and creative thinking. Ages 3-5. Class size limited to 6 parent-child pairs.
$150 SBMA-Members, $175 Non-Members

Family 1st Thursdays
Bring the whole family and enjoy 1st Thursday together in SBMA’s Family Resource Center located across from the Museum Café on the Lower Level. Museum teaching artists will assist families in creating special exhibition - based art projects. Afterwards, enjoy select galleries until 8PM. Free.
Location: Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Family Resource Center

Everyday Symbols: Visual Storytelling
Thursday, August 5, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Uncover the meaning of the everyday objects found in select photographs in Chaotic Harmony, then compose your own tale using visual symbols to share a story of daily life.

Land & Sea
Thursday, September 2, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Play with positive and negative space in punch dot patterns and soft repetitions in
powdery graphite to create your own landscape and seascape.
 

CHEON, Monica, Mask Drama, Gaski,
2008, from the series Hahoe Mask Drama. Inkjet Photograph. Museum purchase with funds from the S.I. Morris Photography Endowment, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Family Conversations
Families are invited to informal, informative and interactive conversations about art. Explore the SBMA galleries with a Senior Museum Educator, then visit the Family Resource Center. Ages 7 and older. Free with suggested Museum admission.
Location: Santa Barbara Museum of Art

Potraits Past and Present
Sunday, August 29, 11 am - 12 noon
Discover different ways likeness can be visually represented in stone, paint, and photography. We’ll start our journey in ancient Egypt moving forward in time to the contemporary community and individual portraits in Chaotic Harmony.

Stories in Art
Sunday, September 26, 11 am - 12 noon
Explore real and make believe worlds created using words and images in the Stranger Than Fiction exhibition.
 

Visit the Family Resource Center!
SBMA's Family Resource Center is now open! Featuring original paintings and sculpture from the permanent collection, the resource center gives children and families the opportunity to discover works of art, make their own masterpieces, listen to stories, or go on a treasure hunt. This dynamic drop-in center is a source of information for families, including family guides, ArtVenture camps, classes, workshops, and special events and celebrations. Free

SBMA at School
New this year, SBMA is bringing ArtVentures AfterSchool Classes to local Elementary Schools. Talk to your PTA or principal if you are interested in having an SBMA Teaching Artist lead a standards-based class that is related to the Museum’s collections and exhibitions at your school and contact us at 962.1661 or email to rtec@sbma.net.