April – June 2024 Exhibitions & Events

APRIL

BANK OF AMERICA MUSEUMS ON US® FREE ADMISSION
4/6 & 4/7/24

Free admission for all current Bank of America®, Merrill Lynch® and U.S. Trust® cardholders through Museums On Us® with valid photo ID. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/visit/special-offers-promotions/museums-on-us-free-admission/.

“BOULEVARD DREAMS CALIFORNIA”
THROUGH 4/14/24

This groundbreaking exhibition celebrates the rich history, artistry, and profound impact of lowrider culture in California, offering a comprehensive view of the cultural, social, and artistic significance of the lowriding tradition. Lowrider bicycles, custom artwork, photographs and historic artifacts reveal the vibrant world of lowrider culture and its deep-rooted connection to the local and statewide community. The exhibit was curated by the Sacramento Lowrider Commission and presented in partnership with Sol Collective. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/temporary/now-on-view/boulevard-dreams-california/.

VOLUNTEER OPEN HOUSE & TRAINING 4/27/24

The California Museum invites prospective volunteers to attend the Volunteer Open House and Training on Sat., Apr. 27. This free, informational event provides an overview of the Museum’s volunteer program and current openings from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Those interested in volunteering can stay for a new volunteer orientation immediately following the open house from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Meet staff, enjoy complimentary refreshments and tour exhibits. Open to volunteers ages 16 and older with parental consent. Register in advance by 5:00 p.m. on Fri., Apr. 26. For more information or to register, visit VolunteerOpenHouse.eventbrite.com or call (916) 653-8099.

MAY

BANK OF AMERICA MUSEUMS ON US® FREE ADMISSION
5/4 & 5/5/24

“AMERICA AT THE CROSSROADS: THE GUITAR AND A CHANGING NATION”
5/24 – 9/1/24

Centered around a 40-instrument display curated by the National Guitar Museum, “America at the Crossroads” examines the evolution of the guitar as the United States’ most popular instrument and its reciprocal relationship with significant historical events and cultural moments over the centuries. Building on the traveling exhibition, the California Museum’s presentation spotlights California innovation in the development of modern instruments such as the world’s most popular guitar, the Fender Stratocaster. The Museum’s exhibit also features original guitars from the Museum of Pop Culture played by renowned guitarists Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, John Lee Hooker and Eddie Van Halen. https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/temporary/upcoming/america-at-the-crossroads/

JUNE

BANK OF AMERICA MUSEUMS ON US® FREE ADMISSION
6/1 & 6/2/24

CALIFORNIA TIME TRAVELER CAMP: SESSION 1
6/24 – 6/28/24

Young adventurers are invited to explore over 150 years of history, arts and culture in the California Time Traveler Camp. Ideal for kids ages 6 to 11, this week-long day camp offers engaging learning experiences as participants travel back in time to some of the state’s significant eras. A combination of exhibit tours, excursions to nearby sites and hands-on activities from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily itineraries begin on Monday over 150 years ago in pre-statehood California and end on Friday in the near future that California campers will create. For details or to book a passage, visit https://californiamuseum.org/visit/events-public-programs/california-time-traveler-camp/.

ONGOING PROGRAMS

DOCENT ON DUTY

Join docent Steve Sasaki in “Uprooted: An American Story” or docent Doreen Wong in “Gold Mountain: Chinese Californian Stories” at designated times. Steve shares his family’s experiences of life in the incarceration camps and returning home after WWII, while Doreen dives into military history and her upbringing as a Chinese Californian. Their tours are free with the price of Museum admission. View the current Docent on Duty schedule at https://californiamuseum.org/visit/events-public-programs/docent-on-duty/.

FOURTH FRIDAYS

The California Museum invites all current California state employees to visit for free on the fourth Friday of each month from 12p.m.-3 p.m. Free admission will be provided to the first 100 state employees with a current state employee ID badge who visit the Museum during the 12-3 p.m. Fourth Friday timeframe. Walk-in only. Offer does not apply to advance ticket purchases. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/visit/special-offers-promotions/fourth-fridays/.

MUSEUMS FOR ALL

Organized by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, this branded access program encourages individuals of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits. Those receiving food assistance benefits can gain reduced $2 admission for themselves and up to three guests by presenting their SNAP EBT (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Electronic Benefit Transfer) card. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/visit/special-offers-promotions/museums-for-all-low-income-access/.

ONGOING TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS

17^TH ANNUAL CALIFORNIA HALL OF FAME ARTIFACT EXHIBITION
THROUGH 10/31/24

Featuring artifacts and ephemera on loan from inductees’ personal collections, this temporary exhibition explores the lives and legacies of inductees in the 17th class of the California Hall of Fame, inspiring visitors to make their own mark on history. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/california-hall-of-fame/exhibitions/.

CONTINUING EXHIBITIONS

“CALIFORNIA INDIANS: THE FIRST PEOPLE”

Initially developed under the direction of a Native Advisory Council in 2011, “California Indians: The First People” is the only exhibit of its kind in the state to present the unique contributions of California’s Native Peoples in their own voice. Through artifacts, original art, oral histories and an interactive language kiosk, the exhibit chronicles the histories and cultural legacies of over 100 tribes. Highlights include the Chipped Stone Bear, California’s official prehistoric artifact; baskets woven by Native artists; and a fur cape owned by Ishi. For details, visit https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/signature/california-indians/.

“California Missions: A Journey Along the El Camino Real”

Designed to correspond with State standards for 4th grade students, this exhibit includes rare artifacts from Missions across the state, such as iron tools handmade at Mission Santa Barbara, a marriage registry document written by Father Junípero Serra, an 1893 painting of Mission San Luis Rey on an original tile from that mission and more. In addition, oral history brings this pivotal chapter of history into the present through the modern perspective of Andrew A. Galvan, the first Native curator of Mission Dolores in San Francisco. For details, visit https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/signature/california-missions/.

“GOLD MOUNTAIN: CHINESE CALIFORNIAN STORIES”

Discover the overlooked but significant history and contributions of Chinese Californians from the Gold Rush to the present in “Gold Mountain: Chinese California Stories.” This ongoing exhibit explores the history of Chinese immigrants who came to California in search of a better life and helped build the modern state while triumphing over racism and other obstacles with ingenuity and perseverance. In their stories, visitors will see the contributions Chinese Americans have made to our state’s economy, governance and culture. For more information, go to https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/signature/gold-mountain/.

“HEALTH HAPPENS HERE”

Learn how and why your zip code determines how long and how well you live in the multimedia exhibit “Health Happens Here.” Discover what Californians are doing to build health in communities across the state in this interactive journey through all the places and all the ways health happens in California. Through a series of high-tech games and interactive stations, visitors explore key factors that affect health beyond traditional diet and exercise while earning points that can be donated to one of 10 charities to make health happen for all Californians. Winner of the American Alliance of Museum’s “Excellence In Exhibition” award, visit https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/signature/health-happens-here/ for more information.

UNITY CENTER AT CALIFORNIA MUSEUM

Initiated in 1999 in response to a series of Northern California hate crimes and launched in 2017, the Unity Center at the California Museum celebrates the state’s diverse people, customs and cultures. Featuring multimedia exhibits exploring significant chapters of California’s civil rights history and a state-of-the-art classroom, the interactive 4,000 sq. ft. gallery encourages visitors to find common ground while embracing their own individuality. Through advocacy tools and engaging educational programs, visitors are empowered to be Unity Activists, exercising their rights and standing up for the rights of others – regardless of belief, background, identity or gender. For details, visit https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/signature/unity-center/.

“UPROOTED: AN AMERICAN STORY”

Reopened in 2023, this fully rebuilt, technology-enhanced signature exhibit focuses on the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII and explores how they responded to their forced removal and incarceration, ranging from quiet endurance to heroic valor to conscientious resistance. The exhibit also highlights Japanese Americans’ ongoing efforts to ensure no other groups experience similar civil rights violations. All-new interactive displays, and never-before-exhibited artifacts from survivors supplement visitor favorites from the previous installation including a video introduction by George Takei and a replica barracks and guard tower. New features include a theater experience and an AI-based component allowing visitors to hold virtual conversations with three incarceration survivors. For details, visit https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/signature/uprooted/.

“WOMEN INSPIRE: CALIFORNIA WOMEN CHANGING OUR WORLD”

Developed in collaboration with California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and a statewide advisory council of historians, this all-new long-term signature exhibit features the stories of Golden State women from the 1700s to present who inspire change and reflection on the ongoing struggle for equality. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/signature/women-inspire/.

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