The San José Museum of Art (SJMA) announces the return of in-person public programs and events this summer. Highlights include the reinstatement of free First Fridays starting with the opening of Hito Steyerl: Factory of the Sun and Teacher Appreciation Night on August 6. Select public programs are still offered online to ensure accessibility for all audiences such as the Kids Summer Art Camp digital exhibition, the Third Thursdays series, and the 2021 Gala + Auction.
Learn more about SJMA’s upcoming programs and events in July, August, and September at sjmusart.org/calendar.
July
Third Thursday: Stranger than Fiction
Thursday, July 15, 2021; 8–9:15pm. Free. | Online
City Lights Theater Company and SJMA present a conversation about a playwright and a video artist who explore how real-life technology can color our reality.
August
Opening of Hito Steyerl: Factory of the Sun
Friday, August 6; 11am–9pm.
Celebrate the opening of Hito Steyerl: Factory of the Sun. This landmark video installation explores the flow of data in our current digital landscape.
First Fridays | Back to School Night: Teacher Appreciation
Friday, August 6; 6–8pm. Free. | Circle of Palms
Start of the 2021–22 school year with a night of arts education and STEAM activities highlighting opportunities for schools, students, and families to further engage with the Museum. Also featuring an evening of music and open-air dance lessons from CityDance.
Kids Summer Art Camp Exhibition
Sunday, August 8, 2021. Free. | Online
A special online exhibition featuring artworks by Kids Summer Art Camp students, studio art educators, gallery teachers, and guest artists.
Third Thursday: SJMA Celebrates Silicon Valley Pride
Thursday, August 19; 6pm. Free. | Online
Silicon Valley Pride and SJMA present an evening of laughter, art, and lively conversation.
September
Friday, September 3; 5–8pm. Free.
Free admission to all exhibitions and programs at SJMA from 5–8pm. Featuring access to art, a cash-bar, food, with music and open-air dancing in the Circle of Palms by CityDance.
Third Thursdays | The Heartbeat of San José: Immigrants During COVID-19
Thursday, September 16; Time TBD. Free. | Online
A small sampling of first-person pandemic stories from essential workers in San José’s immigrant communities.
Saturday, September 18; 6pm PDT. Free. | Online
A free and virtual celebration of art and philanthropy to raise critical funds for SJMA.
Other Opportunities
Docents return to the galleries of SJMA starting Friday, August 6 for in-person conversations. SJMA is also recruiting new volunteers for the next class of volunteer docents. For more information, go to sjmusart.org/sjmas-docents.
Special offers for reduced admissions include the Bank of America Museums on Us free first weekend for Bank of America cardholders; and the return of the Blue-Star Museums program, offering free admission to active-duty military, National Guard, Coast Guard, and Reserve military personnel and up to five family members through September 6, 2021. More special offers available at SJMA, go to sjmusart.org/special-offers-and-discounts.
SAN JOSÉ MUSEUM OF ART
SJMA is located at 110 South Market Street in downtown San José, California. The Museum is open Friday through Sunday, 11am to 6pm and until 8pm or later on the first Friday of each month. For up-to-date information about SJMA, visit SanJoseMuseumofArt.org. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and free to members, college students, youth and children ages 17 and under, and school teachers (with valid ID). For more information, call 408.271.6840 or visit SanJoseMuseumofArt.org.