EXHIBITIONS

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Poster for an exhibit titled 'A Day with David Bowie,' photographed by Christine de Grancy, featuring a black and white photo of David Bowie resting his chin on his crossed arms at a table, with a blurred background. The poster promotes an extended showing through November 2nd at the Santa Monica Art Museum in Santa Monica, California, with the museum's website listed.
Poster for an exhibition called "Spectacle" featuring rare photographs, showing two elk stags locking antlers, with text details about the event at the Santa Monica Art Museum in California, organized by National Geographic.

EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND

SPECTACLE: Rare and Astonishing Photography by National Geographic: Enter a world of wonder through the lens of the legendary National Geographic photographers. Spectacle is a stunning collection of breathtaking, large-scale images capturing some of the most extraordinary moments on Earth—from the depths of the ocean to the peaks of humanity's spirit. 

A DAY WITH DAVID BOWIE: Step into the orbit of one of music’s most iconic figures. This intimate photographic exhibition explores David Bowie’s essence and artistic energy through rare images, featuring moments captured by Christine de Grancy during Bowie’s time with Brian Eno and the artists of Gugging. A tribute to imagination, rebellion, and reinvention. 

TICKETS

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Firefighters walking towards a helicopter spraying water against a smoky sky with a black background and white text that reads 'A Tribute to First Responders & Community Photo Exhibition'.

A TRIBUTE TO FIRST RESPONDERS & COMMUNITY

A heartfelt exhibit honoring the bravery of firefighters, paramedics, and community heroes who stood on the front lines during the devastating LA fires. This moving installation pays tribute to their strength, courage, and the enduring spirit of the communities they protect. 

Apr 11, 2025 - May 26, 2025

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Dark promotional poster for 'Monsters: Exhibit of Horrors' featuring horror-themed characters including a vampire, skeletons, and skulls, with the title text in the center.

Monsters: Exhibit of Horrors

Monsters are real and they are closer than you think.

Explore the origins and evolution of monsters in this immersive exhibit. Come face-to-face with fearsome creatures that have prowled our imaginations through the ages.

Sept 13, 2024 - Jan 5, 2025

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A person with blond hair in an art gallery or museum, looking through binoculars against a green wall with framed landscape photographs.

ACCIDENTALLY WES ANDERSON: The Exhibition

Ever seen a dreamy place in real life and thought, ‘That totally belongs in a Wes Anderson film’? An Instagram sensation & best-selling book brought to life, Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition is an IRL exploration of real-life locations from all 7 continents through the lens of Wes Anderson’s iconic aesthetic. After a huge success in Seoul, Tokyo and London, Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition makes its way to Los Angeles!

May 15 - August 18, 2024

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Promotional poster for 'The Fans Strike Back' featuring Darth Vader's helmet in space, a Millennium Falcon spaceship, and a starry, colorful galaxy background. The text highlights the largest private collection of 'Star Wars' memorabilia.

THE FANS STRIKE BACK

An exhibition unlike any other in the galaxy, The Fans Strike Back® gives fans of the universe’s most famous saga an up-close and personal look at one of the most extensive private Star Wars collections found between Las Vegas and Tatooine. Showcasing hundreds of unique collectables, sculptures, life-size figures, lightsabers, blasters and more, The Fans Strike Back® takes guests on a journey to the resistance as well as to the dark side.

October 5, 2023 - January 7, 2024

Event poster for the Elephant Parade Santa Monica Art Museum exhibition, August 12 to September 22, 2023, featuring a colorful decorated elephant sculpture by Katy Perry and Marva Kinnard, titled 'Trunks'.

ELEPHANT PARADE

In celebration of World Elephant Day on August 12, the SANTA MONICA ART MUSEUM in collaboration with the worldwide exhibition Elephant Parade®, is proud to announce a selection of handcrafted five-foot-tall elephant sculptures from the creative minds of entertainment icons including Katy Perry, Tiésto, Lily Tomlin, Khloé Kardashian, Cesar Millan and Oliver Benjamin.

August 12 - September 22

Interior of an art gallery with sunlight streaming through large windows, two colorful abstract paintings on the wall, and a modern red sculpture near the window.

LOOKING WEST

Looking West brings together 20 artists working on the West Coast, inviting them to exhibit a diverse array of work concerned with with how we look at each other, our world, and the act of art-making.

February 17 - July 21, 2023

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Two mixed-media art installations on black wall, one on left with various colorful objects and pink flowers, another on right with collage art on pink background.

WHAT IS AN ART MUSEUM?

December 17, 2022 - February 16, 2023

We opened our doors with intentionally blank walls as a “blank space” and invited artists to begin using the space immediately. Over the course of a few months, exciting regional artists helped us define “What is an art museum?” and who we want to be by using our 7,000 sq/ft space to exhibit their work and hold conversations as we evolved.

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