Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara advances creativity and inspires critical thinking through meaningful engagement with the art of our time.

History:

MCASB was founded as Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum (CAF) in 1976 by artists and supporters seeking a venue that was dedicated solely to contemporary art. These initial organizers envisioned a “forum” for the display of and discussion about artwork being made today, both locally and in the larger national and international art community.

What once began as a grassroots, artist-run organization with nominal funding now serves as the leading contemporary arts presenter in Central California. MCASB offers its innovative education and exhibition programming to the region primarily free of charge. There is no admission fee because MCASB believes that the arts should be accessible to all audiences of all persuasions. It truly is foundations and individuals from the community and around the country that keep MCASB active, inspired and alive with opportunities for artists, children, and adults to experience all that the visual and performing arts have to offer.

In 2012 trustees guided the organization toward what they saw as the next step in its history and CAF became MCASB, with a refined mission toward education and the arts.