January – March 2024 Exhibitions & Events

JANUARY

BANK OF AMERICA MUSEUMS ON US® FREE ADMISSION
1/6 & 1/7/24

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/.

“PERSONAL TO POLITICAL: CELEBRATING THE AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTISTS OF PAULSON FONTAINE PRESS”
THROUGH 3/24/24

Drawing from Berkeley-based Paulson Fontaine Press’ vast collection of fine art prints, Personal to Political features over 40 fine art prints by African American artists who have helped to shape the contemporary art conversation in the Bay Area and beyond. This refreshed version of the traveling exhibition organized by the Bedford Gallery features well-known national artists, including Kerry James Marshall, Martin Puryear, Edgar Arceneaux, Radcliffe Bailey, David Huffman, Gary Simmons, and the Gee’s Bend quilters, as well as new work by Woody De Othello, William Scott, and Gee’s Bend artist Essie Bendolph Pettway. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/temporary/now-on-view/personal-to-political/.

“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 vehicles, custom artwork, photographs, and historic artifacts reveal the vibrant world of lowrider culture and its deep-rooted connection to the local and statewide community. Part of a dual exhibition curated by the Sacramento Lowrider Commission and presented in partnership with Sol Collective and the Center for Sacramento History, the California Museum display takes a statewide focus, while a companion at the Sacramento History Museum highlights local lowrider history. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/temporary/upcoming/boulevard-dreams-california/.

FEBRUARY

17^TH ANNUAL CALIFORNIA HALL OF FAME ARTIFACT EXHIBITION
DATE TBA

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/.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SELF-GUIDED TOUR
2/1/24 – 2/29/24

Throughout February, the California Museum presents a self-guided Black History Month Tour—refreshed with new tour stops—highlighting 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 notable Black individuals, movements and organizations. The tour is designed for visitors of all ages to explore the Museum at their own pace. Digital and print maps with markers highlighting focal points will be available with paid Museum admission. A digital copy of the map will also be posted starting February 1 at https://californiamuseum.org/visit/events-public-programs/.

BANK OF AMERICA MUSEUMS ON US® FREE ADMISSION
2/3 & 2/4/24

THE MYTHS: FROM ENEMY ALIENS TO MODEL MINORITY
2/10/24

In observance of the 82^nd anniversary of Executive Order 9066, which led to the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, the Northern California Time of Remembrance committee will host its annual Day of Remembrance program in partnership with the California Museum from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. The program features a screening of Not Your Model Minority by filmmaker Jon Osaki followed by a roundtable discussion featuring Osaki, Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress co-chair Kathy Masaoka and Asian Law Caucus criminal justice reform program manager Carl Takei. Tickets are available through NCTOR until February 1. To learn more, visit https://californiamuseum.org/visit/events-public-programs/day-of-remembrance-2024/.

TIME OF REMEMBRANCE FIELD TRIP TOUR PROGRAM
2/12/24 – 4/5/24

Exploring citizenship, constitutionality and redress, the annual “Time of Remembrance” field trip program 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. Tours include admission to the museum, a guided tour of the newly-renovated “Uprooted: An American Story” exhibit, an interactive classroom program, plus lesson plans, digital artifact kit and follow-up activities related to current issues. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/for-educators/field-trips/time-of-remembrance-programs/.

MARCH

BANK OF AMERICA MUSEUMS ON US® FREE ADMISSION
3/2 & 3/3/24

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH ADMISSION SPECIAL
3/1/24 – 3/31/24

Bring a special person you want to explore women’s history with and get your guest’s admission free. Start by visiting the “Women Inspire” exhibit, then explore the rest of the Museum together (Hint: Inspiring women can be found in every exhibit!). Enter code WomenInspire when you book advance tickets, or mention Women’s History Month Special at admission. Additional details will be posted by March 1 at https://californiamuseum.org/visit/events-public-programs/.

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 12-3 pm. 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 pm 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/.

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; a fur cape owned by Ishi; and more. For details, visit https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/signature/california-indians/.

“CALIFORNIA INDIANS: THE FIRST PEOPLE”

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/.

“UROOTED: AN AMERICAN STORY”

Reopened on March 11, 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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