Art Exhibitions in SF Bay Area

Alameda Ocean Photographer of the Year (Apr. 24–May 17)

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 · All day

Hangar 41

Art

US premiere of Ocean Photographer of the Year opens in Alameda’s Hangar 41, presenting a world-class collection from Oceanographic Magazine and Blancpain. This WWII-era hangar setting frames dramatic ocean landscapes and environmental storytelling for visitors from April 24 through May 17.

Wandering Stars: Young Artists’ Portrait Show

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 · All day

East Bay Creative Lab

Art

An indoor exhibition at East Bay Creative Lab showcasing artworks by OUSD high school students from Fremont, Skyline, Oakland High and partner schools. The free show highlights student creativity across media and invites families and neighbors to celebrate emerging artists in Oakland.

Gallery Chats at OMCA

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 · All day

Oakland Museum of California

Art

Join OMCA Facilitators for Gallery Chats — an informal Q&A and guided conversation about the museum’s exhibitions; admission ticket required.

Mayan Warrior: Full Art Car Experience

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 · All day

Alternate Link

Art

Immerse yourself in the Mayan Warrior Full Art Car Experience, a moving sculpture and multimedia showcase. This immersive art event features a fully customized art car, bold design, and live installations presented at Alternate Link. A bold, contemporary art encounter for adults.

Exhibition Tour: Object Oriented: Abstraction and Design in the BAMPFA Collection

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 · All day

Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA)

Art

Guided exhibition tour at BAMPFA exploring abstraction and design across the museum’s collection with a focus on object-oriented works — ideal for art lovers, students, and visitors.

KAWS: FAMILY Last Look for Members

Sat, 2 May 2026 · All day

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)

Art

Enjoy an exclusive member-only preview of KAWS: FAMILY at SFMOMA. Last Look runs Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon, inviting members to experience the exhibition before public hours in a crisp, intimate setting.

Gallery Chats at OMCA

Sat, 2 May 2026 · All day

Oakland Museum of California

Art

Join OMCA Facilitators for Gallery Chats — an informal Q&A and guided conversation about the museum’s exhibitions; admission ticket required.

The Arch

Sun, 3 May 2026 · All day

Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA)

Art

The Arch is a gallery exhibition at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) in Berkeley. Opening May 3, 2026, the show features architectural-inspired artworks and related film material, staged in BAMPFA’s iconic, hybrid museum spaces that blend art and cinema.

Gallery & Studio: Architectural Designs

Sat, 9 May 2026 · All day

Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA)

Art

Gallery+Studio: Architectural Designs at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive presents a curated glimpse of contemporary architectural concepts, models, and design processes inside a museum gallery. The exhibition blends studio work with gallery viewing, showcasing architecture as visual art on May 9, 2026 at 11:30.

Gallery Chats at OMCA

Sat, 9 May 2026 · All day

Oakland Museum of California

Art

Join OMCA Facilitators for Gallery Chats — an informal Q&A and guided conversation about the museum’s exhibitions; admission ticket required.

Bouchra

Sat, 9 May 2026 · All day

Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA)

Art

A contemporary art exhibition at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) presenting works by the artist Bouchra. The show offers a focused survey of recent pieces in a renowned museum setting.

Monet and Venice Access Day

Mon, 11 May 2026 · All day

de Young Museum

Art

Enjoy early-entry access to Monet and Venice at the de Young Museum with curator-led gallery talks and accessibility options. See Monet’s luminous Venice scenes up close in a landmark San Francisco setting.

Matisse’s Femme au chapeau: A Modern Scandal Member Previews

Thu, 14 May 2026 · All day

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)

Art

Member previews of Matisse’s Femme au chapeau: A Modern Scandal at SFMOMA. This indoor, multi-day opening (May 14–16, 2026) offers a first look at the provocative modernist works, with special access for members.

Gallery Chats at OMCA

Sat, 16 May 2026 · All day

Oakland Museum of California

Art

Join OMCA Facilitators for Gallery Chats — an informal Q&A and guided conversation about the museum’s exhibitions; admission ticket required.

SFMOMA’s Hat Party for Matisse Exhibit Opening

Sun, 17 May 2026 · All day

SFMOMA

Art

Kick off the Matisse: Femme au chapeau exhibition with a festive hat-themed party at SFMOMA. Wear your favorite hat, mingle with fellow art lovers, and enjoy a stylish evening as the exhibit opens (running May 16–Sept 13, 2026) at the San Francisco museum.

Free First Friday at the San Mateo County History Museum

Tue, 19 May 2026 · All day

San Mateo County History Museum

Art

Explore San Mateo County history with Free First Friday at the San Mateo County History Museum in Redwood City; free admission, family-friendly activities, and evening programs.

Black Life: Bloom as Miracle

Fri, 22 May 2026 · All day

Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA)

Art

Explore Black life through contemporary visual art in the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive's exhibition 'Black Life: Bloom as Miracle.' This thought-provoking show pairs works by contemporary artists with film/media installations, set in BAMPFA's gallery spaces, offering a thoughtful meditation on community, resilience, and beauty.

Gallery Chats at OMCA

Sat, 23 May 2026 · All day

Oakland Museum of California

Art

Join OMCA Facilitators for Gallery Chats — an informal Q&A and guided conversation about the museum’s exhibitions; admission ticket required.

SFMOMA Free Community Day with Matisse Exhibit

Sun, 24 May 2026 · All day

SFMOMA

Art

Visit SFMOMA on May 24, 2026 for Free Community Day, starting at 10:00, with free admission to the entire museum. See the special Matisse: Femme au chapeau—A Modern Scandal exhibition alongside the modern-art collections in a family-friendly, intellectually engaging setting in San Francisco.

Gallery Chats at OMCA

Sat, 30 May 2026 · All day

Oakland Museum of California

Art

Join OMCA Facilitators for Gallery Chats — an informal Q&A and guided conversation about the museum’s exhibitions; admission ticket required.

Free Admission Day: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

Fri, 5 Jun 2026 · All day

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

Art

Explore the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History with free admission day, featuring wildlife and habitat displays, and cultural artifacts like Ohlone relics, in a seaside setting. A welcoming outing for curious families and visitors to learn, explore, and connect with the community.

Positively Cynical: Ryan Tesluk

Fri, 5 Jun 2026 · All day

FM Gallery

Art

Positively Cynical: Ryan Tesluk at FM Gallery in the Bay Area offers honest, unfiltered artworks that provoke discomfort and introspection, inviting audiences to confront their own reactions.

Gallery Chats at OMCA

Sat, 6 Jun 2026 · All day

Oakland Museum of California

Art

Join OMCA Facilitators for Gallery Chats — an informal Q&A and guided conversation about the museum’s exhibitions; admission ticket required.

Early Closure

Sat, 6 Jun 2026 · All day

The Walt Disney Family Museum

Art

Note: The Walt Disney Family Museum will close early at 4:00 PM on June 6, 2026. Plan your visit accordingly and consult the education page for updates on programming and hours. Located in the Presidio, the museum typically hosts family-friendly exhibits that honor Disney’s legacy.

Showing 24 of 65 events