Arts Exhibitions: Platforms for Diverse Voices
SCAL’s two galleries host a combined 24 annual exhibitions, showcasing over 900 artists—from emerging youth to accomplished professionals—through national juried shows, community exhibitions, and the High School Show (established 1955) and California Landscape Show (established 1928). Over fifty percent of exhibitions offer free or reduced entry, ensuring economic accessibility for all. The Spotlight Gallery champions new and underrepresented artists, amplifying diverse perspectives across generations and backgrounds.

Arts Education: Empowering Through Opportunity
SCAL’s education programs prioritize accessibility, welcoming artists of all backgrounds and skill levels.

* Community Art Classes and Critiques: Daily classes in Figure Drawing, Watercolor, Pastel, Acrylics, and Ink, alongside weekend workshops in printmaking, papier-mâché, and workshops in art business strategies, engage over 1000 participants annually. Affordable drop-in classes and free community critiques ensure equitable access, fostering skill development and creative community for all.

* CurateThis! Internship Program: Launched in 2024 in partnership with UCSC’s History of Art & Visual Culture Department (HAVC), the CurateThis! Internship Program is a dynamic job readiness program that transforms curatorial theory into real-world experience. Guided by a dedicated mentor curator and SCAL staff, interns develop expertise in exhibition design, juror selection, marketing, and professional networking, fostering leadership, creative agency, and career readiness in arts and museum settings.
* Trabajo de Arte: Partnerships provide free/low-cost art classes to 100+ underserved youth, empowering expression via painting and printmaking.

Broadway Playhouse: A Community Stage
Our 62-seat Broadway Playhouse attracts over 5,000 audience members annually, serving as an affordable, accessible venue for independent producers. Hosting a range of performances—youth theater, poetry readings, music, and community events—the Playhouse nurtures artistic careers and fosters connection. Its professional-quality productions and affordable community access make it a cornerstone for artists and audiences.