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January-March 2023 Exhibitions & Events
JANUARY
NEW YEAR’S DAY — MUSEUM CLOSED
1/1/23
BANK OF AMERICA MUSEUMS ON US® FREE ADMISSION
1/7 & 1/8/23
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 http://californiamuseum.org/mou-2022.
15TH ANNUAL CALIFORNIA HALL OF FAME ARTIFACT EXHIBIT
THROUGH 10/31/23
Featuring artifacts and ephemera on loan from inductees’ personal collections, this temporary exhibition explores the lives and legacies of inductees in the 15th class of the California Hall of Fame, inspiring visitors to make their own mark on history. For more information, visit http://californiamuseum.org/artifact-exhibit..
“CALIFORNIA IS IN THE HEART”
THROUGH 4/30/23
“California Is in the Heart,” presented in partnership with the Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies at UC Davis, underlines the critical role Filipino Americans have played in our state’s history. Never-before-exhibited family photos tie into a map depicting Filipino towns across the state, while artists provide unique perspective as their work supplements a historic timeline. Additional sections celebrate the lifesaving work of Filipino nurses during the pandemic, highlight women’s role in the Fil-Am community, and address efforts to combat AAPI hate. For more information, visit http://californiamuseum.org/california-heart.
“METAPHOR, MYTH, & POLITICS: ART FROM NATIVE PRINTMAKERS”
THROUGH 3/19/23
“Metaphor, Myth, & Politics: Art from Native Printmakers” features 36 contemporary works on paper by 29 Native and Indigenous artists from California and around the world. The colorful and inventive pieces, all drawn from the C.N. Gorman Museum’s collection at UC Davis, reveal the diverse points of view and styles of art present in the world of contemporary Native printmaking. This exhibition is organized and traveled by Exhibit Envoy. For more information, visit http://californiamuseum.org/metaphor-myth-politics..
FEBRUARY
BANK OF AMERICA MUSEUMS ON US® FREE ADMISSION
2/4 & 2/5/23
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 http://californiamuseum.org/mou-2022.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH SELF-GUIDED TOUR
2/1 – 2/28/23
The California Museum presents a Self-Guided Black History Month Tour featuring a look at African American contributions to California’s rich history. Focusing on themes of resilience, activism, democracy and community, this exploration of our signature and temporary exhibits highlights the influence of African Americans in California. Through interactive displays on trailblazing individuals like Bridget “Biddy” Mason and Venus and Serena Williams, movements and organizations, we discover their indelible and ongoing impact. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/event/black-history-month-self-guided-tour.
MUSEUM CLOSED FOR BUILDING MAINTENANCE
2/18 & 2/19/23
TIME OF REMEMBRANCE FIELD TRIP PROGRAM
2/27 – 4/7/23
Aligned with 5th, 8th and 11th grade History-Social Science and Common Core ELA, the “Time of Remembrance” field trip brings a pivotal chapter of history to life for students through the first-hand accounts of Japanese American docents who experienced life behind barbed wire during WWII. Includes pre- and post-visit curriculum and a 30- minute docent-led interactive program on Japanese American incarceration, followed by the completion of an activity sheet on a guided tour of ”Uprooted: An American Story.” For details, visit https://californiamuseum.org/uprooted.
MARCH
BANK OF AMERICA MUSEUMS ON US® FREE ADMISSION
3/4 & 3/5/23
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, https://californiamuseum.org/event/mou-2022.
FREE MUSEUM WEEKEND
3/4 & 3/5/23
Free Museum Weekend, presented by Sacramento Area Museums (SAM), draws thousands of Sacramento area community members to local museums to experience the fascinating art, culture and history of the region. The California Museum joins nearly 20 others to offer free admission over this two-day period. Advance registration required. For more information, visit http://californiamuseum.org/event/free-museum-weekend.
“UPROOTED: AN AMERICAN STORY”
OPENS 3/11/23
This fully rebuilt signature exhibit, based on the long-running “Uprooted! Japanese Americans during WWII,” takes a new look at the wartime mass incarceration and Japanese Americans’ ongoing efforts to safeguard the civil rights of all Americans. All-new interactive displays, and never-before-exhibited artifacts 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 http://californiamuseum.org/uprooted.
“UPROOTED: AN AMERICAN STORY” GRAND OPENING
3/11/23
In partnership with the Northern California Time of Remembrance Committee, the California Museum celebrates the reopening of its longest-running exhibit. Festivities from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. include a taiko performance, ikebana demonstrations, hands-on craft activities, a presentation by exhibit designer Kevin Sayama, and docent-facilitated exhibit tours. Capacity is limited for this special event and pre-registration is required. For details, visit http://californiamuseum.org/uprooted-grand-opening.
ONGOING PROGRAMS:
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/event/museums-all-low-income-access.
CONTINUING ONSITE 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; a fur cape owned by Ishi; and more. For details, visit https://californiamuseum.org/california-indians-0.
“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/california-missions.
“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/health-happens-here-0 for more information.
“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 Californian 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/gold-mountain.
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/unity-center.
“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/women-inspire.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA MUSEUM:
The California Museum celebrates the Golden State’s history, arts, diversity and unique influence on the world. Established in 1998, the Museum is home to the official California Hall of Fame, Unity Center and more exhibitions inspiring visitors to make their mark on history. Located at 1020 O Street in the March Fong Eu Secretary of State complex, galleries are open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.. Closed Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. General admission is $8-10. Learn more or get tickets at https://californiamuseum.org.