The Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA) has unveiled its new Art Learning Lab, which opened last weekend with a variety of activities aimed at both children and adults. The newly expanded space, which was created by transforming the former museum gift shop, restaurant area, and the Family Resource Center, offers a hands-on environment for art and educational programs. This initiative aims to better integrate the museum’s children’s programs and all-age educational initiatives with the broader museum experience.
“The goal is to draw people into the museum space and have children directly engage with the artwork,” said Amada Cruz, Director of the Eichholz Family Foundation. Cruz, along with SBMA Chief Curator James Glisson and Director of Education Patsy Hicks, recently discussed the museum’s future plans with the Independent.
The move to reallocate educational programs to this area was also a practical decision, as the museum sought to “right-size” the gift shop, which had been facing financial struggles for years. Cruz, who joined SBMA in October 2023, explained that the decision to sell the McCormick House — once home to the Ridley-Tree Education Center — was made after assessing the building’s condition. “It required significant repairs and was expensive to maintain,” Cruz said. The decision was made to invest more in people and programs rather than the costly upkeep of an old building.
SBMA Board Chair Michael Linn emphasized that the decision was carefully considered. “After thorough research and discussion, we decided to sell the McCormick House and use the proceeds to create an SBMA Education Fund. This will ensure we continue offering diverse, mission-driven programs both at the museum and in the community.”
The new Art Learning Lab increases the museum’s educational space, providing a direct connection between art creation and the museum’s galleries. It aims to inspire visitors through hands-on engagement with original works of art, said Hicks.
“We are deeply committed to our values of education and outreach,” Cruz noted. “This move brings educational programs directly to the artwork, while also expanding our community outreach efforts.”
The new space allows for more interactive experiences. “We’ll be able to run upstairs and sketch, meet different people, and even interact with curators, the director, and security staff,” Hicks shared. “Our teaching artists, who include seven staff members, will also use this area for preparation, storage, and prototype creation. It’s wonderful for kids to see adults actively creating, fostering a sense of collaboration.”
Both Hicks and Glisson are excited about the increased visibility of the new space. “Passersby on State Street will be able to see the activities through the windows, which adds a friendly, open feel to the museum,” said Glisson.
Hicks added that the new space will feature student artwork, class displays, and community projects. “This new space is a natural extension of our mission to integrate art into community life,” she explained. “By continuing the legacy of individuals like Leslie Ridley-Tree and Katharine Dexter McCormick, we remain committed to their vision of education and art, which we honor and build upon.”
