San Diego Museum of Art

10/22/2026

Team horchata or team refresca? Either way, see you at The Taco Party! 🌮

This weekend, Taco Bell brought their Live Más Café to the May S. Marcy Sculpture Garden during our Community Art Workshop, giving visitors an early preview of what they’ll be serving at The Taco Party on November 1.

On the menu: classic horchata, strawberry horchata, dragon berry refresca, and cold brew with horchata cold foam. Safe to say, it was impossible to choose a favorite. We are so grateful to Taco Bell for their sponsorship of both October’s Community Art Workshop and The Taco Party. Come and sample a line up from their menu on November 1 at The Taco Party at The San Diego Museum of Art’s sculpture court and garden, as well as enjoy unlimited taco tastings and an array of drink options.

🌮 The Taco Party | November 1, Noon – 4:00 PM
📍 May S. Marcy Sculpture Garden, The San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park
🎟️ Visit https://sdma.ticketapp.org/portal/product/190?_ga=2.1420593.1224451463.1792698113-349839735.1789752925 for tickets

The Taco Party is a special ticketed portion of the Día de los Mu***os celebration bringing together great food, community, and the joyful spirit of the holiday; and also continues the year-long centennial celebration marking the 100th year of The San Diego Museum of Art serving the community through art and bringing the world’s greatest art to the region.

10/21/2026

The easiest way to see more at the Museum? Slow down.

✋ Before you scroll, give this one 20 seconds. Let your eyes wander and notice what you haven’t before. Texture. Shadow. Details hiding in plain sight.

You don’t need to know anything about art, you just need to look.

Press pause and practice in IRL at The San Diego Museum of Art and MOPA at SDMA.

🔗 Visit the link in bio or sdmart.org for admission info and tickets.

10/20/2026

Who needs Page Six when you have museum docents?

Leave it to the British to serve the hottest tea with a straight face. SDMA docent Seena shares what Cecil Beaton really thought about one of his most famous subjects, and he did not hold back.

“He seems as unhealthy as a lame duck. Yet his ram-like profile has the harsh strength of the gutter.”

That’s way harsh, Cecil.

If you want to learn more about the man, the myth, the legend, join us for a lecture with Hugo Vickers, biographer and literary executor for Cecil Beaton. Explore how Beaton transformed himself into an extraordinary figure through the world of the Bright Young Things, Hollywood, the British Royal Family, World War II, Gigi, My Fair Lady and the Peacock Revolution of the 1960s.

🎤 Thursday, November 19, 10 AM
📍 Joan and Irwin Jacobs Theater, MOPA at SDMA, Balboa Park
🎟️ Visit our events calendar at the link in bio or sdmart.org/talks for tickets

Don’t miss your chance to step inside 𝘊𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘭 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘯’𝘴 𝘍𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥, on view now through January 10, 2027 at The Museum of Photographic Arts at the San Diego Museum of Art.

🕛 MOPA at SDMA Hours: Thursday - Sunday, 11 AM - 5 PM

The 𝘊𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘭 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘯’𝘴 𝘍𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 exhibition is organized by The National Portrait Gallery, London, and presented by The San Diego Museum of Art. This exhibition and lecture are generously sponsored by The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation.

Cecil Beaton, 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘰𝘯 𝘉𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰, 1946. Gelatin silver print. The Cecil Beaton Studio Archive, London. © Condé Nast. Marlon Brando image license by Brando Enterprises, L.P.

10/16/2026

We are excited for the San Diego Ballet to kick off their 2026-2027 season at The San Diego Museum of Art. 🧑‍🩰

𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘋𝘪́𝘢 𝘥𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘴 𝘔𝘶𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘰𝘴, a special two-night ballet performance, takes place October 30 and 31 in the James S. Copley Auditorium at SDMA. Audiences will be swept away by the evocative and romantic “Qué Bonito Amor,” set to a rapturous mariachi score, and “Mambomania,” one of artistic director Javier Velasco’s most celebrated signature works.
Ballet attendees can also enjoy free admission to both The San Diego Museum of Art and MOPA@SDMA on the day of your performance. Show your ticket to the SDMA Admissions team for Museum entry.
 
Join us in honoring life, memory, and the enduring beauty of Mexican and Latin American cultural traditions.
 
📅 October 30 & 31, 8:00 PM
📍 The San Diego Museum of Art, James S. Copley Auditorium, Balboa Park
🔗 Visit the link in bio or sdmart.org/concerts-and-performances for tickets
 
Museum as a Stage is The San Diego Museum of Art’s performing arts initiative, created to reconnect the performing and visual artistic traditions and expand the ways audiences experience art.

10/15/2026

The weather may be heating up, but it’s always sweater weather in the galleries.

🏛️ The San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park
🕐 Monday - Saturday: 10 AM - 5 PM (closed Wednesday), Sunday: 12 PM - 5 PM
📸 MOPA at SDMA, 1649 El Prado, Balboa Park
🕐 Thursday - Sunday: 11 AM - 5 PM
🔗 Visit the link in bio or sdmart.org for exhibition info and tickets

William-Adolphe Bouguereau, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘩𝘦𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘴 (altered), 1885. Oil on canvas mounted on board. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin S. Larsen, 1968.

10/14/2026

Happy anniversary to our home away from home PANAMA 66, celebrating 12 years of bringing cold drinks, delicious food, and cool jazz to the SDMA sculpture court and garden. 

Today, October 14th, they are kicking off their anniversary celebration with live jazz from @‌younglionsjazzconservatory and Gilbert C Castellanos followed by The Jam Session. They will also be tapping the keg of “Jazz is Harder,” a special version of North Park B**r Co. “Art is Hard” Hazy IPA brewed especially for the occasion.

But this is just the start to a weekend filled with music and good company. Swipe to see the full performance schedule and come by to celebrate with us.

📍 Panama 66, The San Diego Museum of Art Sculpture Court and Garden, Balboa Park

10/13/2026

Tacos or a show? Porque no los dos?

The San Diego Museum of Art has teamed up with La Jolla Music Society at the Conrad for the ultimate cozy season giveaway.

Enter for your chance to win a pair of tickets to The Taco Party at SDMA on November 1 and a Latin Music Bundle from La Jolla Music Society featuring performances by Venezuelan classical pianist Gabriella Montero on October 23, Lila Downs’ Dia de Mu***os concert on October 29, and the Edmar Castaneda Quartet for a night of Colombian Latin Jazz on December 11.

That’s not all, Taco Bell is also throwing in a $50 gift card to satisfy late night cravings after a show.

All you need to do is follow The San Diego Museum of Art and La Jolla Music Society , like this post, and tag the person you want to bring to The Taco Party at SDMA in the comments.

Disclaimer: To be eligible, you must like this post, tag a friend in the comments, and follow both The San Diego Museum of Art and La Jolla Music Society by Friday, October 16 at 11:59 PM PST. Winner will be randomly selected and contacted from this account by Monday, October 19. You must be 21 years of age or older to enter. Additional restrictions may apply. This sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with Instagram.

10/09/2026

Get out your art supplies, your Día de los Mu***os art lesson begins now.

SDMA educator Abril walks us through how to create 𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘭 𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘰 and 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘴, two traditional decorations used to adorn altars and 𝘰𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘴, using templates designed by our visiting artist, Betsabeé Romero. All you need is the printable template (found at the link in our bio), markers or pens, scissors, tape, and string.

𝘗𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘭 𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘰: ornately cut and decorated tissue paper, traditionally hung in strings to decorate altars.

𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘴: decorative coverings placed on altars.

Join us in person on October 17 for our Community Art Workshop where you can make your own 𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘭 𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘰 and 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘴. Taco Bell will be there handing out samples of their new Live Más Café horchata beverages to keep artists refreshed and inspired.

You may also visit the link in bio to access the printable templates and bring your finished work to the community 𝘰𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢 on November 1.

🎨 Community Art Workshop: October 17, 11 AM - 1 PM
📍 May S. Marcy Sculpture Garden
🎟️ Free for all ages and skill levels
🔔This month’s Community Art Workshop is sponsored by Taco Bell’s Live Más Café!

🕯️ Día de los Mu***os at SDMA: November 1, 11 AM - 4 PM
📍 The San Diego Museum of Art steps
🎟️ Free admission all day to SDMA and MOPA at SDMA on November 1, 12 PM - 5 PM

🔗 Visit https://www.sdmart.org/event/community-art-workshop-fy27-2026-10-17/ to download the template.

10/07/2026

From painting with the cosmos, to deep dives into San Diego history, with a dash of neuroscience for good measure. Together they make the recipe for an exciting lecture season.

Join us for extraordinary conversations on art, science, history and culture all tied to the permanent collection at The San Diego Museum of Art. Swipe to see the full line up and visit the link in bio or sdmart.org/talks for more details.

🎤 MOPA at SDMA Joan and Irwin Jacobs Theater, Balboa Park.
🎟️ Visit the link in bio or sdmart.org/talks to get your tickets.
💨 Secure your spot before they sell out.

Sponsored by The San Diego Museum of Art Docent Council

10/06/2026

Put on your headphones and let the music transport you.

We’ve paired 4 works from 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘤𝘺: 15 𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘈𝘤𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 with musical works that embody them. A fresh perspective for first-time visitors or long-time members alike.

🎶 Swipe through, press play, and experience art differently.

🏛 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘤𝘺: 15 𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘈𝘤𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 now on view at The San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park
🔗 Visit the link in bio or sdmart.org for exhibition info and tickets

Put on your headphones and let the music transport you.

We’ve paired 4 works from 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘤𝘺: 15 𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘈𝘤𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 with musical works that embody them.

Monet and Debussy were less interested in depicting a subject literally and more interested in capturing a fleeting sensory impression: the feeling of light on water, the sound of waves, the atmosphere of a moment rather than the moment itself. Monet painted the church at Varengeville multiple times, always chasing a different quality of light. This “morning” effect captures that soft, dissolving hour before the sun fully rises. Debussy’s 𝘓𝘢 𝘔𝘦𝘳 opens the same way, barely a whisper, like the sea at dawn, building slowly toward full luminous light.

Put on your headphones and let the music transport you.

We’ve paired 4 works from 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘤𝘺: 15 𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘈𝘤𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 with musical works that embody them.

The 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘻𝘢𝘥𝘦’𝘴 opening sweeps you up and drops you in the middle of an adventure. Rimsky-Korsakov wrote the first movement from this suite, “The Sea and Sinbad’s Ship,” with the motion of the sea in mind, the melody migrating through the orchestra like a wave. The powerful brass is foreboding while the shimmering strings carry Sinbad’s ship across the water. All of the instruments come together mirroring the power struggle between the ship and the sea. That push and pull between grandeur and grace is exactly what Sert captured in his monumental triptych.

Put on your headphones and let the music transport yo

10/04/2026

In queso you missed it, it’s National Taco Day, and what better way to celebrate than getting your tickets for The Taco Party at SDMA.

Join us on Sunday, November 1 for The Taco Party, an afternoon of unlimited taco tastings, cold drinks, art making and good company in the May S. Marcy Sculpture Court and Garden at The San Diego Museum of Art.

Here’s what’s on the menu:
🌮 Unlimited taco tastings and delicious bites from local restaurants and taco vendors:
Blanco Tacos + Tequila
@‌chuyz_taco_shop
@‌delavinacatering
@‌eateltianguis
@‌elindiomexicanrestaurant
@‌elreydeltaco.catering
@‌eltapatiorestaurantib
@‌eltoritorestaurants
@‌extraordinaryfruits
@‌lapuertasd
@‌ortegasbistro
@‌personaltouchdining
@‌pradobalboapark
@‌ranchevents.logistics
Taconora
thecrafttaco

And more to be announced… 👀

Plus, enjoy
🍹 One complimentary agua fresca, margarita from @‌panama66sdma, or b**r from @‌mujeresbrewhouse, included with ticket. Unlimited tepache by @‌delacalleco also included.
☕️ Cold brew, coffee, matcha and more from marta
📸 Themed photo booth
🎨 Interactive art making activities led by Museum educators
🎶 Live music by San Diego-based Latin jazz group Quinteto Caballero Bill Caballero

The Taco Party is part of Día de los Mu***os at SDMA, a day of community featuring a special ofrenda designed by Visiting Artist Betsabee Romero . It also continues our year-long Centennial celebration marking 100 years of The San Diego Museum of Art.

🎟️ $50 Members | $60 Non-members | $20 Youth ages 0–6
🗓️ Sunday, November 1 | Noon – 4:00 PM
🏛️ Free admission to both SDMA and MOPA at SDMA all day

📍 May S. Marcy Sculpture Court and Garden, The San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park

🔗 Visit the link in bio or http://sdmart.org/event/the-taco-party/ for tickets

10/03/2026

San Diego Padres are playing their first game of the 2026 NLDS today, and we are cheering them on from the galleries.

From our friar to yours, let's go Padres! ⚾🤎💛

10/02/2026

Kids are always free at The San Diego Museum of Art and MOPA at SDMA, 365 days a year, and family programming helps kids of all ages enjoy the Museum to the max.

With Kid’s Free October in full swing, there has never been a better time to explore everything San Diego has to offer.

Come start your adventure with us. 🎨

Kids & Family Programming in October

🫟 Family Art Adventure Tour (Early Childhood): Oct 3, 10 AM
🖼️ Family Art Adventure Tour: Oct 10 & 24, 10 AM
🎨 Storytime Family Tour: Oct 8, 9:50 AM
📖 Books & Art Storytime: Oct 8, 10:30 AM
🎨 Community Art Workshop: Oct 17, 11 AM - 1PM

🔗 Visit sdmart.org to plan your next visit

10/02/2026

10/01/2026

The Young Art 2027 theme for its 49th edition has been revealed!

𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘈𝘳𝘵: 𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘴 invites young artists in grades TK-12 from San Diego County and the Tijuana region to create work inspired by the senses: touch, sound, smell, sight, and taste or even a combination of senses such as synesthesia, the extraordinary experience of one sense triggering another.

🎨 Swipe through for the rundown of everything you need to know and be sure to share this with every young artist and teacher in your life.

🔗 Please visit sdmart.org/young-art for submission guidelines and important dates.

Cover image credit: April Avila Rojas, Sentimientos (detail), 2023. Pastel. 6th grade, New Horizon Institute. Collection of the artist. ©April Avila Rojas

09/29/2026

Spooky season is upon us, and the events calendar is anything but dead. 🎃

We’re talking performances by Camarada Chamber Music, San Diego Shakespeare Society, and San Diego Ballet, art workshops, specialty tours for the whole family, and lectures from two female contemporary artists. October at The San Diego Museum of Art is no tricks and all treats.

📍 The San Diego Museum of Art
🔗 Visit the SDMA events calendar at the link in bio or sdmart.org/events for additional information and tickets.

09/28/2026

Skip the small talk, we’re talking art medium, meteorites, and the universe. 💫

Contemporary artist Ulrike Arnold paints with meteorite dust and earth elements gathered from some of the world’s most remote landscapes. Yes, you read that right; the cosmos is literally her art medium.

Come down the rabbit hole with us as Arnold sits down with astronomer Gerard van Belle, PhD, and SDMA’s Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art Rachel Jans, PhD, to talk art, science, and how celestial materials inspire creativity and become art.

Expand your understanding of what art can be made of and how artistic expression connects to the vast universe beyond our planet.

📅 Friday, October 16 at 10:00 a.m. 
🎤 MOPA at SDMA Joan and Irwin Jacobs Theater, Balboa Park.
🎟️ Visit the link in bio or sdmart.org/talks for tickets.
💨 Secure your spot before they sell out.

Discover your next side-quest by becoming a member at SDMA and be the first to know about special events, exhibitions, and member-only discounts. Visit sdmart.org/membership to join.

Sponsored by The San Diego Museum of Art Docent Council