Vision:

The Atkinson Gallery is the Santa Barbara City College showcase for the visual arts and an essential component of the Art Department, providing a central exhibition location for students, faculty and visiting artists. In addition to our annual student exhibition, The Atkinson hosts exhibitions of contemporary art each academic year featuring international, national and regional artists working in a wide range of styles and media.

The gallery is a critical component of the Art Department’s curriculum and an invaluable educational tool across all disciplines. Gallery exhibitions are instructive for studio art and art history students, reinforcing concepts, theories and techniques studied in the classroom. . For many students the Atkinson will be the first art gallery they enter and it aspires to be a beacon of inspiration and a catalyst for transformative experiences for all students.

The Atkinson brings professional working artists to campus for direct engagement with our students through art talks, lectures, workshops, and studio discussions that offer insights into new media and techniques, and practical information about working professionally as an artist.  Our internship and student work program offer invaluable training, experience and insights into professional gallery management and hands-on instruction on how to structure, organize, and implement a curated exhibition.