San Diego Museum of Art to Celebrate Centennial with Free admission, Star Wars & royal Archive Footage
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the San Diego Museum of Art will mark 100 years of cultural enrichment in 2026 with a year-long celebration culminating in free admission on February 28th, alongside a series of exhibitions and community events.The museum is also partnering with CBS 8 to showcase a remarkable collection of archive footage spanning over 75 years of its history.
A Century of Art and Community
Founded on February 28, 1926, the San Diego Museum of Art has become a cornerstone of the city’s cultural landscape. The centennial celebration aims to honor this legacy while looking ahead to the future, according to a senior museum official. “How can we pay homage to those who are here before us? How can we remind the community by inviting them why this museum was created?” the official stated.
The museum will host an all-day birthday party on its 100th anniversary, offering free admission from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For those seeking a more immersive experience, a ticketed “Cake Party” will feature unlimited birthday cake, live music, and engaging activities. Visitors will also have the possibility to purchase centennial merchandise, including T-shirts and keychains, from the museum’s gift shop.
A Rich Collection and Historic Moments
The San Diego Museum of Art boasts an extraordinary collection of 40,000 works of art,tracing back to 3000 BC. The collection includes masterpieces by renowned artists, with claude Monet being a particularly celebrated figure. “Who doesn’t know Monet? Monet is probably the moast famous artist in the world,” a museum spokesperson remarked.
The museum’s history is filled with memorable events, and CBS 8’s collaboration will bring these moments to life. Archive footage will include highlights such as a visit from Queen Elizabeth II in 1983, the popular Muppets exhibition in 1979, and the cultural phenomenon that was the Star Wars exhibition in 1999.
Invitation to Celebrate
The museum’s Executive Director and CEO, Roxana Velásquez, extended a warm invitation to the community. “This is the place that belongs to San Diegans. This is the place that everybody should feel its their home,” she said. Velásquez further encouraged multi-generational participation, stating, “I would like to invite everybody to come and visit the san Diego Museum of Art. This has been for you for the last 100 years,but also it will be open for you and your kids and your grandkids and next generations.”
For more information about the centennial celebration and upcoming events, visit the museum’s website here.
Why: The San Diego Museum of Art is celebrating its 100th anniversary,marking a century of cultural enrichment for the city.
Who: The celebration is organized by the San Diego Museum of Art,led by Executive Director and CEO Roxana Velásquez,and in partnership with CBS 8. It is intended for the entire San diego community.
What: The centennial celebration includes a year-long series of events culminating in free admission on February 28th, 2026, a “Cake Party” with ticketed access, the showcasing of past archive footage, and the availability of centennial merchandise.
How did it end?: The celebration will culminate on February 28th, 2026, with free admission and a full day of events. The museum intends for the celebration to be a
