6 Places to See Inspiring Art in California

The cities of California are always bustling with activity, but it's nice to take some time away from the daily grind to appreciate the beauty within our communities. These venues are home to painting, sculpture, theater, and all manner of artistic endeavors that enrich communities and give us an appreciation for the state that we call home. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

6 Destinations in California for Art Lovers

Name Location Focus
Orange County Center for Contemporary Art Santa Ana Presents new and experimental art exhibitions, classes & workshops, and musical performances
Triton Museum of Art Santa Clara Two facilities that preserve and showcase visual art that emphasizes California and the Bay Area, along with a sculpture garden and educational opportunities for all ages
B Street Theatre Sacramento Performs contemporary and classic plays, along with the Family Series, programs in schools, and the Studio for Young Actors
Fresno Art Museum Fresno Large collection of visual art from the Americas in a variety of art forms, as well as special events at Bonner Auditorium
Wildling Museum of Art & Nature Solvang Exhibitions and programs that employ art to inspire audiences to value and conserve natural areas and wildlife habitats
WorldBeat Center San Diego Multicultural community organization devoted to preserving, presenting, and celebrating African Diaspora and Indigenous cultures, with galleries, the Children's Peace Garden, classes, and performances

B Street Theatre's Partnership with Encina Prep School

Famous Artists from California

Inside WorldBeat Cultural Center

In Depth

With so much culture spread out over such a large geographical area, it's to be expected that California offers an abundance of exciting things to do and see. In addition to all the natural beauty and historical sites, the state boasts a multitude of unique venues for the exhibition of diverse creative works, from museums and galleries to performance halls. For residents and visitors seeking artistic inspiration, here are, in no particular order, six places in the Golden State where you can enjoy stimulating and enriching aesthetic experiences.

Showing up at #1 is the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art. Established in 1980 and located in Santa Ana's Artist Village, O.C.C.C.A. stands as an inclusive, experimental forum for creators of all backgrounds and skill levels to develop, explore, and express their ideas without restrictions. Catalyzed by a spirit of collaboration and intellectual exchange, it presents boundary-breaking contemporary art exhibitions, performances, classes, and symposia, and facilitates educational and community outreach programs. O.C.C.C.A. also serves as a venue for local and global musicians, whose diverse work it showcases at innovative concerts.

Education programs at O.C.C.C.A. encompass a range of activities such as guided meditations and experimental art-making, and are designed to offer participants both intellectual and spiritual enrichment through aesthetic practices. Other offerings include hands-on multimedia workshops for community members of all ages, as well as a number of events hosted in collaboration with other organizations. Support O.C.C.C.A. and its service to the wider Orange County arts landscape by donating at your chosen patron support level, and get benefits such as free admissions to special events.

Other offerings include hands-on multimedia workshops for community members of all ages, as well as a number of events hosted in collaboration with other organizations.

For #2 we have the Triton Museum of Art, which collects, preserves, and showcases visual art that emphasizes California and the Bay Area in particular. A Santa Clara-based institution, it reaches tens of thousands of people each year through its exhibitions and education programs, which are designed to bring together diverse audiences and enhance the understanding of art as an essential tool for community building. The Museum comprises two spacious indoor facilities and a seven-acre sculpture garden, and is located close to the historic Jamison-Brown House.

In addition to changing exhibitions that feature eclectic California art, the Museum offers many educational opportunities for visitors of all ages. Studio classes are available throughout the year for kids, teens, and adults, and include professional instruction in a range of media. Children can take part in SummerStudio, a hands-on camp that combines cultural learning with artistic production, while adults can attend historical survey classes and workshops. Further engaging the public are community outreach programs that serve under-resourced students. Give back by making a gift of a personalized tile, which will be installed in the main entrance.

At #3 is B Street Theatre. Through a robust catalog of stimulating productions and year-round educational programming, this Sacramento organization dedicates itself to engaging, edifying, and enriching audiences through the theatrical arts. Originally created in 1986 as a children's touring theatre company, today B Street produces a variety of contemporary and classic plays, many of which are regional, national, or global premieres. It also continues to maintain a focus on youth audiences, offering sundry programs and activities that give kids opportunities to experience and explore all aspects of professional theatre.

Originally created in 1986 as a children's touring theatre company, today B Street produces a variety of contemporary and classic plays, many of which are regional, national, or global premieres.

Central to B Street's mission is its Family Series, a professional resident theatre for children that produces both original plays and adaptations of cherished titles. An equally valuable resource is the School Tour, which reaches around 200,000 kids across Northern California. Children are able to submit their work through two annual playwriting contests, with the winning scripts performed during the Tour. Other significant offerings include classes for youth and adults, an intensive ten-month internship for recent college graduates, and artist residencies that bring workshops to schools and organizations. Make a donation online to assist B Street's many efforts.

For #4 we get the Fresno Art Museum, which fosters an inspiring, dynamic environment for audiences of all ages to experience visual art and the creative process. The Museum boasts a permanent collection of more than 3,600 works, with areas of focus including pre-Columbian objects from Mesoamerica and the Andes, modern and folk art from Mexico, and works from the 20th and 21st centuries encompassing a spectrum of mediums. In addition to viewing these and other pieces, visitors can partake in a number of events that FAM hosts throughout the year, including lectures, film screenings, symposia, concerts, and myriad educational programs.

Complementing FAM's collection are exhibitions that embody the image-making traditions of the San Joaquin Valley's diverse ethnic groups. Featuring a variety of media, they offer audiences opportunities to appreciate the region's historical and aesthetic influences, and to understand the enduring ways in which the Valley is shaped by different cultures. Through its auxiliary Council of 100 arm, the Museum is also committed to exhibiting and honoring the work of exceptional female creators, with the Distinguished Woman Artist Award given annually. Purchase the official Snoopy License Plate, and profits will benefit California museums such as FAM.

Through its auxiliary Council of 100 arm, the Museum is also committed to exhibiting and honoring the work of exceptional female creators, with the Distinguished Woman Artist Award given annually.

Landing at #5 is the Wildling Museum of Art & Nature. Combining creative practice with environmental advocacy, this Santa Barbara museum uses art to inspire audiences to value and conserve natural areas and wildlife habitats. Through programs, field experiences, and exhibitions that showcase an array of wilderness-focused art, it aims to awaken and sensitize people to the extraordinary natural beauty around them, and spur them to be active in its preservation. The Museum keeps a small but growing permanent collection that contains nature photography and historic oil paintings, some of which can be viewed at its Overlook Gallery.

Among the Wildling's other stimulating exhibition spaces are its first-floor main gallery, where larger shows are held, and its second-floor Valley Oak Gallery, which focuses on stories of the tri-county area. On permanent display is a wall mural by local creator John Iwerks, which serves as a valuable artistic tool for teaching visitors about regional oak habitats. The third floor, meanwhile, houses the Barbara Goodall Education Center, and features rotating art shows from an assortment of community groups. Aid the Wildling and its mission to advance environmental awareness by becoming a member, or by volunteering to help with administration or special events.

Finally, for #6 we arrive at WorldBeat Cultural Center, a San Diego-based multicultural community organization devoted to preserving, presenting, and celebrating African Diaspora and Indigenous cultures. It carries out its mission through wide-ranging programs and activities that emphasize visual and intermedia art, music, education, scientific research, and more. By fostering cultural appreciation and raising social awareness, the WorldBeat Cultural Center strives to promote a creative, inclusive community in which unity can harmoniously coexist with diversity.

It carries out its mission through wide-ranging programs and activities that emphasize visual and intermedia art, music, education, scientific research, and more.

Transformed from a 1,000,000-gallon water tower, the organization's building has vibrant interior and exterior murals that commemorate diverse world cultures and historical figures. It also contains many galleries, as well as shops that serve locally-sourced goods and nutritious foods. Further involving the community are events such as lectures and panels, plus classes that cover everything from martial arts to West African dance and music. Programs include a performing arts and science summer camp, civic outreach, and an outdoor classroom series that teaches students about gardening and sustainability. To help out, make a contribution through the group's site.