We recommend you contact the organization for hours of operation.
Looking for things to do around the Monterey area? Take some time to explore the vibrant art scene all over Monterey County!
The Arts Council is proud to support some amazing arts projects in each town. Here is the Cultural Road Trip we recommend for your special Monterey getaway. Enjoy!
All Ages
The Hawthorne Gallery opened in 1995, the Hawthorne Gallery is a comparatively new landmark on the Big Sur coastline. Represents the artwork of the multi-talented Hawthorne family as well as the work of selected outstanding artists across the country.
The Phoenix Shop is open daily from 10:30am – 6:00pm. We are a unique gift shop featuring exceptional merchandise from around the world as well as from local artisans. Inside, gorgeous displays of gifts from around the world stimulate the imagination.
All Ages
The Carmel Art Association’s gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Founded in 1927, Carmel’s oldest gallery features the work of more than 100 professional local artists, and is dedicated to presenting only the finest work for sale by artists living on the Monterey Peninsula. The Carmel Art Association displays a wide variety of styles and media, and changes its exhibitions every month.
The Center For Photographic Art (CPA) is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. CPA’s gallery, which is free to the public, features the finest works of contemporary photography. In addition, CPA also offers the unique PIE Labs (Photography + Ideas + Experience) creativity program.
Youth
Carmel Youth Center
As a youth development organization, the CYC provides services and leadership to meet the emerging needs of young people and their families in our community, so all young people acquire the skills, self-confidence, and opportunities to realize their full potential. Daily drop-ins are available at a rate of $30 per day or $15 for a half-day (under 5 hours).
All Ages
Carmel Valley Art Association (CVAA) promotes local art and artists—it’s the heart of our vision and purpose. CVAA’s recent transition to non-profit 501(c)(3) status enables us to expand both volunteer and grant-based resources, which serves to further our reach and support of this community of local artisans.
Sol Treasures is a cherished community venue for the arts. They maintain a gallery to support exhibitions and arts education programs. For more information on the current exhibit, visit their website.
The Monterey County Agricultural & Rural Life Museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum’s interpretive period is the last quarter of the 19th century through World War II. The collections are principally agricultural related implements, house museum furnishings, and historical objects related to specific local history.
The World Theater at CSU Monterey Bay is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The venue houses a professional live entertainment program, campus events and student productions, and concerts by local community groups. It is an intimate theater with 446 seats. Come tour the theater to learn more about its history, as well as some fun facts about the campus. Tours run about 20 to 30 minutes. You must schedule ahead of time by calling (831) 582-4580. We look forward to seeing you at the World Theater!
Marina Youth Arts was founded as a non-profit in 2005. Our mission is to provide opportunities for children of Marina and throughout the region to experience the performing, visual, and cultural arts through seasonals and year-round participation-based programs. We are the only non-profit organization in Marina committed to such an endeavor. We believe that communities need to preserve and nurture the Arts because they are vital to the quality of life now and in the future.
All Ages
The Monterey Museum of Art is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for Wednesdays. Located across from historic Colton Hall in Old Monterey, the museum features galleries devoted to exhibitions of California painting, photography, design and contemporary art.
Youth
The Lyceum of Monterey County has been offering educational programs to the local community since 1960 and is one of Monterey County’s oldest non-profits. There are enrichment classes in a variety of subjects for kids and adults alike.
MY Museum provides an environment where curiosity and creativity flourish, while both children and adults discover the thrill of lifelong learning. Visiting hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Youth Arts Collective (YAC)
YAC is a nonprofit, after-school art studio and mentorship program for high school and college artists. Open hours are Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 12 to 4 p.m. YAC gallery exhibits work from 60 young artists and their six mentors.
Monterey Museum of Art
The Monterey Museum of Art offers summer camps for children ages five through sixteen. Bring a healthy snack, a bottle of water, wear old clothes or bring an apron, and let’s get creative at camp! Children remain on-site at our Pacific Street or La Mirada location the duration of the camp.
One Of A Kind Arts is a unique Art Gallery which specializes in artwork from South America with an emphasis on Mexico. The artwork includes paintings, jewelry, masks, sculptures, statues, metal worked goods, and much more.
The Haute Enchilada Cafe boasts an eclectic menu of sustainable seafood and local organic produce, premium wine list, craft beers on tap, full bar, and art gallery with over 50 local artists’ original work.
All Ages
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History opened in 1883, the same year as did the Brooklyn Bridge, making it one of the country’s oldest of its kind. But its deep diversity of unique Central Coast creatures, pioneering science and interactivity make it as current as ever.
The purpose of the Pacific Grove Art Center is to cultivate the arts within the Monterey area by providing creative experiences that inspire and engage us, touch our hearts, challenge our minds and enrich our lives. There are four exhibit galleries: Nadine Annand, David Henry Gill, Elmarie Dyke and Louise Cardeiro Boyer. Exhibits change every other month celebrated with a First Friday Gala Opening. A variety of art forms are featured, including painting, photography, sculpture, encaustic, fabric arts, mixed media and more.
Open Thursdays through Sundays 10 am – 2pm, Arts4MC’s ArtWorks @Salinas is a studio and gallery space where artists can work and display their work. A rotating exhibition also graces the walls for visitors to take in for free year-round and purchase featured goods from local artisans. Stop by during open hours and during First Fridays, a fun evening reception held the first friday of every month from 5 – 8 pm, at 262 Main St, Salinas, CA 93906.
Open year-round the Hat in Three Stages of Landing at Sherwood Park, 920 N Main St, Salinas, CA 93906. In the climate of Salinas where so many work out of doors, hats are essential. Visiting a local hat store we saw a wide range of headgear, from farmers’ to ranchers’ to ladies’ garden hats.
Open seven days a week year-round, the National Steinbeck Center is an essential part of any visit to the Monterey County area. Stop by between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to get an inside look into the life and works of John Steinbeck.
Urban Arts Collective was formed in 2012 by Visual Interdisciplinary & Community based artist JC Gonzalez, Urban Arts Collaborative is a community of diverse young artists, artists mentors and instructors advancing positive personal and social transformation by teaching, mentoring, and encouraging creative expression. Using arts and culture as a catalyst for action, Urban Arts Collaborative empowers young people to heal themselves, their families, and their world.
All Ages
The Sand City Art Committee supports working artists on the Monterey Peninsula; producing city-sponsored art & events including we.Mural Festivals. The Art Park and we.Art are newer inventions and have a lot to do with the previous city manager Aaron Blair.
The City of Sand City is continuously working to add to the vibrancy of our City, and specifically to the West End. We have begun a program to install public art around the City to celebrate our community. The goal is to allow local and visiting artists to fully express themselves and build the foundation of an accessible public gallery in Sand City that will be enjoyed for years to come.
All Ages
Open Ground Studios (OGS) is an artists’ collective, gallery and fine art school that champions learning, practice and connection through the visual arts for professionals and creative adults. Seventeen local artists enjoy the shared economy of working under the same roof which is designed to leverage inspiration, dedication, mentorship and excellence for our community. OGS offers private lessons with professional artists, workshops and on-going classes in drawing, painting, printmaking, book arts and more!
Youth
Palenke Arts is a new multicultural arts organization in Seaside whose mission is to educate, inspire and transform the community through the arts. They are creating a vibrant and inclusive multicultural arts center, offering low and no-cost classes, workshops and events for the community.
The Weston Collective is committed to the preservation of black and white film photography on the central coast of California through photographic mentorships, exhibitions, and the Weston Scholarship. Check out the website for darkroom and studio rentals, as well as special events and classes.