The San Diego Museum of Art

What are the highlights and features of The San Diego Museum of Art?

The San Diego Museum of Art's total collection is over 20,000 pieces, ranging from sculptures and paintings to thought-provoking photographs. With a permanent collection dating to 3,000 BC, the museum takes visitors on a journey through time.

While European Renaissance artwork is the collection’s main draw, its recent additions span across the globe. Latin American, Asian, American, African, and Oceanic pieces are present in the gallery. Chinese and Japanese Buddhist sculptures, South Asian paintings, and German Expressionist paintings rank highly among their latest acquisitions.

The May S. Marcy Sculpture Garden is adjacent to the West Wing of The San Diego Museum of Art. The Panama 66 Restaurant serves lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, while also entertaining guests with live music. To keep young art connoisseurs busy during summer, the museum hosts educational camps and teen studios for creative students.

Events and exhibitions at The San Diego Museum of Art

The San Diego Museum of Art frequently presents special exhibitions that showcase artwork from around the world. With a global network of holdings, the museum brings new artists to the forefront for audiences of all ages.

Special collections include Art of the Open Air, American Art, Arts of South and Southeast Asia, and California Colorists. Young Art 2021: My World, Our Planet features innovative student pieces of artwork about protecting the environment. The permanent collection also includes Indian Paintings from the Edwin Binney 3rd Collection and 19th-century American sculptures. 

The museum’s year-round schedule of cultural events caters to both adults and children inspired by the arts. For the adults, programs such as Culture & Cocktails and Art After Hours turn gallery viewings into lively social gatherings.

Youth camps and student exhibitions host educational activities for up-and-coming artists. The annual Art Alive fills the museum with a backdrop of bright colors based on interpretations from the permanent collection.

Good to know about The San Diego Museum of Art

The San Diego Museum of Art sits in the heart of Balboa Park, the cultural epicenter of San Diego. The 1,200-acre park has an eclectic collection of museums, performance venues, gardens, and recreational spaces.

If the art museum is high on your itinerary, it’s worth spending the day hanging out at Balboa Park. It’s among the best places in San Diego to immerse yourself in the city’s rich culture and history.

After visiting The San Diego Museum of Art, check out the Fleet Science Center, San Diego History Center, or San Diego Natural History Museum. Watch musicals, ballet, or Shakespeare at 10 performance spaces within the park. And if you brought the kids, the world-famous San Diego Zoo is right around the corner.

Balboa Park is near downtown San Diego and accessible via public transportation. If you’re staying in central districts like the Gaslamp Quarter, Hillcrest or North Park, you can easily walk or ride a bike to the park.