As Santa Cruz County’s only nonprofit hub uniting visual arts galleries, exhibitions, education programs, and the Broadway Playhouse for performing arts under one roof, the Santa Cruz Art League (SCAL) delivers interconnected core programs and services that support the artistic journey at every level while centering equity, inclusion, and community vitality.

Arts Exhibitions: Platforms for Diverse Voices
SCAL’s two galleries present 24 annual exhibitions featuring more than 900 artists—from emerging youth and historically underrepresented voices to accomplished professionals. Signature programs include the California Landscape Exhibition (since 1928), the High School Show (since 1958), and the Spotlight Gallery. All exhibitions are always free, ensuring broad economic access for Santa Cruz’s diverse community.

Arts Education & Community Programs: Empowering Through Opportunity
SCAL is Santa Cruz County’s leading provider of affordable senior arts services and the only arts organization in the county to formally adopt an Ageless Arts Initiative. Daily community classes and monthly free critiques engage over 1,000 participants annually with affordable drop-in options. Free and low-cost workshops serve underserved youth each year at sliding-scale rates. Our affordable membership program offers free or reduced rates for students and seniors and includes reciprocal benefits through the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) network, granting access to more than 1,500 museums nationwide. Launched in 2024 with UC Santa Cruz, the CurateThis! internship brings emerging artists and curators ages 18–26 to the forefront, providing hands-on experience curating and marketing juried exhibitions alongside professionals while strengthening California’s creative economy.

Performing Arts: Broadway Playhouse as Community Stage
Our 62-seat blackbox Broadway Playhouse welcomes over 5,000 audience members annually with affordable, professional-quality performances, youth theater, poetry, music, and community events.

This unique integration positions SCAL as Santa Cruz’s premier inclusive arts collective—a welcoming space where artists and audiences of every age, background, ability, and income can create, connect, and thrive.