Our mission is to advance regional contemporary art and artists while fostering cultural equity through access to meaningful art experiences.

WHO WE ARE:

As the only contemporary cultural institution in Balboa Park, SDAI nurtures the creation of groundbreaking art by providing a dedicated exhibition space for the artistic talent that resides in Southern California and Northern Baja to collaborate, exhibit, and thrive.

WHAT WE DO:

Since beginning in 1941, SDAI has grown into a premier contemporary art center delivering access to thousands of residents and visitors to the art we showcase, no matter the viewer’s experience or demographic. Through high quality, interactive programming, educational initiatives, and exhibitions, SDAI promotes cultural equity and artistic enrichment within our community and enables diverse audiences to interact with art in meaningful ways.

WHAT WE BELIEVE:

SDAI believes that there is an abundance of creative talent in the San Diego region and that regional art and artists are worthy of a showplace in Balboa Park. We understand that programming must build and sustain appreciation for contemporary art and that making art accessible and understandable to experienced and novice audiences creates a future for contemporary artists and the production of contemporary art in the communities we serve.

Artist-in-Residence:

SDAI’s Matthew J. Mahoney Artist-in-Residence program furthers our mission to foster the careers of emerging artists by creating a meaningful experience for them to develop and thrive in the San Diego art scene. Artists working in all media are invited to apply for this three month residency. The selected resident receives a private, 200 sq. ft. studio space to create new work, culminating in a gallery exhibition.

Event Rentals:

Choose SDAI as a unique wedding or event venue for groups up to 125 people.

For a complete listing of events, exhibitions, and programming please visit : www.sandiego-art.org

Current & Upcoming Exhibitions

Forging Territories: Queer Afro and Latinx Contemporary Art

Jun 30, 2019 – Nov 3, 2019

FORGING TERRITORIES features African-American and Latinx members of the LGBTQ community pioneering in a frequently inhospitable land. It presents artists engaged in cultural storytelling that describes themselves, their friends, and their environments in striking visual ways. It is an exhibition that combines established and emerging artists with a shared queer history.

About that word, queer. Rubén Esparza, founder and director of the Queer Biennial in Los Angeles and curator of FORGING TERRITORIES, has said:

“Decades back the word QUEER was a derogatory term used to de-humanize LGBTQ people. Now we’ve subverted the word and use it to both symbolize empowerment and serve as a reminder of a people’s struggles. QUEER is an umbrella term, and under its canopy are people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender non-conforming, gender fluid, poly-amorous, and questioning.”

SDAI presents this exhibition of LGBTQ artists of color in support of its commitment to cultural and gender equity and to serve as a catalyst in advancing remarkable regional art and artists.