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Family Programs

A wide variety of programs, located both within Museum galleries and offsite, offer diverse opportunities for the whole family to view, understand, and interact with art on view. Find something for everyone: from children to seniors, beginners to art experts.

Programs are inspired by current exhibitions and art on view, and are sometimes organized in collaboration with other organizations. Formats include a variety of art forms, from art-making activities exploring different practices and media to interactive music, film, performances, special tours, and lectures. Visit the Museum Calendar to view a full list of upcoming programs and events.

Family Drop-In Days

Every Sunday | 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. | The Studio
Explore and learn more about art on view through activities designed to help families look at and think about art in new and different ways. Family Drop-In Days take place every Sunday afternoon. Monthly themes are explored and weekly activities present projects using a variety of media and inspired by the works on view in the galleries.

Join the art-making activities in The Studio, engage in family-friendly, docent-led tours, play with games and touchable objects, and Search-and-Find activities.

Recommended for families with children 6 to 12 years. Pre-registration is not required.

Search and Find 

Roam and view the Museum galleries in new ways using the Search & Find activity sheets, a portable and engaging addition to the Museum visit.  A Museum map and short clues on a central subject matter describe works of art in the Museum galleries. Once found, participants are directed to a answer family-friendly question about each work and return the completed sheet to a staff member for a prize! Search & Finds are available in English and Spanish.

  • View the Animals of East Asia Search and Find
  • Complete the ARTie activity sheet

Gallery Game

The Gallery Game is a set of five cards, each featuring a work of art from the Museum’s permanent collection, designed for families to use while exploring the galleries. Using the detail image of a collection work and its corresponding clue, participants are encouraged to seek out the mystery work of art within the Museum galleries look further with family-friendly questions about the piece.

The Gallery Game cards are available in English and Spanish and available everyday in The Studio, an interactive, art making space within the Museum!

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Upcoming Events

Family Drop-In days: Exploring Animals in Art
Sunday, June 23, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Family Drop-In Days: Exploring Animals in Art
Sunday, June 30, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Family Drop-In Days: Exploring Places in Art
Sunday, July 7, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Family Drop-In Days: Exploring Places in Art
Sunday, July 14, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Especially for Families: ARTie Party!
Sunday, July 21, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Family Drop-In Days: Exploring Places in Art
Sunday, July 21, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Family Drop-In Days: Exploring Places in Art
Sunday, July 28, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Family Drop-In Days: Exploring People in Art
Sunday, August 4, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Family Drop-In days: Exploring People in Art
Sunday, August 11, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Family Drop-In Days: Exploring People in Art
Sunday, August 18, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Location

The San Diego Museum of Art
1450 El Prado
Balboa Park, San Diego, CA
(619) 232-7931

Mailing address
PO Box 122107
San Diego, CA 92112-2107

Hours

Mon., Tues., Fri., Sat.
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.*
Sunday 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.

*Through August 29
  See calendar for exceptions

Flickr Photos

Grand Opening Celebration: Art of East AsiaGrand Opening Celebration: Art of East AsiaGrand Opening Celebration: Art of East AsiaGrand Opening Celebration: Art of East AsiaGrand Opening Celebration: Art of East AsiaGrand Opening Celebration: Art of East AsiaGrand Opening Celebration: Art of East AsiaGrand Opening Celebration: Art of East AsiaOpening Celebration: Art of East AsiaGrand Opening Celebration: Art of East AsiaGrand Opening Celebration: Art of East AsiaGrand Opening Celebration: Art of East AsiaGrand Opening Celebration: Art of East AsiaGrand Opening Celebration: Art of East AsiaGrand Opening Celebration: Art of East Asia

Member Spotlight

Bram and Sandy Dijkstra, Patron's Circle
Gordon Brodfuehrer, Benefactor's Circle

Twitter Feed

RT @sdma: Create a narrative quilt inspired by Young Art 2013 during an adult workshop, this Saturday afternoon. http://t.co/7zyycexVOx...
5 weeks 18 hours ago
#ArtIsNotaCrime is out! http://t.co/hUa8Uur8P6 ▸ Top stories today via @12ozProphet @Complex_Art @SDMA
5 weeks 18 hours ago
Amazing artstop in progress @SDMA with the brilliant John Marciari, @BPOC_SD documenting so check the mueum's YouTube if you missed it!
5 weeks 18 hours ago
@SDMA Hey check out my new video! http://t.co/wx6qDTS3iu
5 weeks 18 hours ago
@SDMA Will there be amazing food to match the amazing art? #sandiego #SD #Lajolla
5 weeks 18 hours ago

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