July-September 2023 Exhibitions & Events

JULY

“BLACK PIONEERS: LEGACY IN THE AMERICAN WEST” EXHIBIT CELEBRATION
7/15/23

The California Museum invites the public to a day of festivities celebrating its newest exhibit, “Black Pioneers: Legacy in the American West.” From 10 am – 2 pm, activities include self-guided exhibit tours, a hands-on community quilting activity, presentations by featured exhibit artists, quilt appraisals, pop-up shops from regional Black artisans and more. Reduced price admission of just $5 per person on sale now. For tickets and event details, visit https://bit.ly/BlackPioneersExhibitCelebration.

“BLACK PIONEERS: LEGACY IN THE AMERICAN WEST”
THROUGH 10/1/23

“Black Pioneers: Legacy in the American West” is a first-of-its-kind exhibit exploring the path of Black history in the West through a timeline of original pictorial quilts. Dispelling the myth that Black people in the old West were mostly cowboys, the exhibit shows rich diversity in African Americans’ occupations and achievements in society, religion, education and the arts from their 1528 arrival in the American West through the Civil Rights Movement. This exhibition is organized by The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art and Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi, curator, historian, and artist. The Women of Color Quilters Network (WCQN) created the 50 quilts especially for this exhibition. For more information, visit https://www.californiamuseum.org/black-pioneers.

AUGUST

DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS FIESTA EARLY BIRD TICKETS
8/1/23

Early Bird $5.00 tickets to the California Museum’s annual Día de Los Muertos Fiesta will event go on sale at 10:00 am on Tues., Aug. 1, 2023. Scheduled on Fri., Oct. 13, 2023 from 6 – 10 pm., the event will celebrate the opening of a new Day of the Dead-themed exhibit and community altar. Highlights will include appearances by exhibit artists; Mayahuel Restaurant and Tequila Museum entrées and custom cocktails for sale; live music; face painting; hands-on activities for kids and more. For more information on exhibit and event or to buy tickets, visit https://californiamuseum.org/visit/events-public-programs/fiesta-2023/.

VOLUNTEER OPEN HOUSE
8/5/23

The California Museum invites prospective docents to attend the Volunteer Open House and Training from 10:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Sat., Aug. 5, 2023. This free, informational event provides an overview of the Museum’s volunteer program and current openings. Volunteers interested in volunteering can stay for a new volunteer orientation immediately following the call out/open house. 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., Aug. 4. For more information or to register, visit https://californiamuseum.org/visit/events-public-programs/voh-0823/ or call (916) 653-8099.

BANK OF AMERICA MUSEUMS ON US® FREE ADMISSION
8/5 & 8/6/23

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 https://californiamuseum.org/visit/special-offers-promotions/museums-on-us-free-admission/.

SEPTEMBER

BANK OF AMERICA MUSEUMS ON US® FREE ADMISSION
9/2 & 9/3/23

ONGOING PROGRAMS:

BLUE STAR MUSEUMS
THROUGH 9/4/23

A collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families and the Department of Defense, the program provides free admission to all active duty, National Guard and Reserve military personnel and up to five family members from Sat., May 15 (Armed Forces Day) through Sun., Sept. 4 at the California Museum. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/visit/special-offers-promotions/blue-star-museums-free-admission/.

DOCENT ON DUTY

Join Steve Sasaki, an expert docent at the Museum, in “Uprooted: An American Story” at designated times to hear about his family’s experiences of incarceration during World War II. Steve offers a Q&A as visitors pass through, or a full guided exhibit tour on topics such as coming to America, life in the incarceration camps, and returning home after WWII. View the current Docent on Duty schedule on the California Museum website 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://www.californiamuseum.org/event/museums-all-low-income-access.

ONGOING TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS:

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 https://californiamuseum.org/california-hall-of-fame/exhibitions/15thclass/.

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/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 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/.

ABOUT CALIFORNIA MUSEUM:

The California Museum celebrates the state’s rich history, its diversity and its unique influence on the world of ideas, innovation, art and culture. Established in 1998, the Museum is home to the official California Hall of Fame and many more exhibitions inspiring visitors to make a mark on history. Learn more or plan a visit at https://www.californiamuseum.org/.

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