Gallery Tours

During your visit to the Museum, you are invited to join a docent-led gallery tour. Gallery tours are informative and eye-opening. They provide an opportunity to experience and discuss a selection of artworks in a relaxed, informal setting. Gallery tours are free with Museum admission, and begin in Colefax Gallery in front of the elevator on the Main Level. To book a docent-led tour for an adult group, please call 805.884.6423 or email groupvisits@sbma.net. Tours are free with admission.

To book a private docent-led tour for an adult group, please call 805.884.6423 or email groupvisits@sbma.net. Tours require a minimum of two weeks notification and are free with admission

To book a school tour (Grades K-College) please refer to our Schools & Teachers page or call 805.884.6457 or email schoolprograms@sbma.net.

School Tours, over 5 students, require a reservation two weeks in advance and are free.

FREE Docent-Led Tours

Docent-Led tours explore highlights and focus areas of the Museum’s permanent collection as well as special exhibitions.

1 pm Tuesday-Thursday
1 pm and 2 pm Friday-Sunday
6 and 6:30 pm on First Thursdays
Docent Tours meet in Colefax Gallery in front of the elevator on the Main Level.

Docent "Ten Talks"

Every 1st Thursday
6:00 pm and 6:30 pm

Ten-minutes, one work of art, and informal, interactive conversation in the galleries. Please meet in Colefax Gallery in front of the elevator on the Main Level.

Summer Nocturne
tour dates

Highlights of the Collection
tour dates

Focus Tours

Docent Highlights Tours

May

1 pm –11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 31

June

1 pm – 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 30

July

1 pm – 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 22, 25, 27, 28

August

1 pm – 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31
2 pm – 24

September

1 pm – 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30

Color

May

1 pm –16, 24

June

1 pm – 13, 19, 28
2 pm – 2, 8, 10

July

1 pm – 3, 19
2 pm – 13, 27

August

1 pm – 9, 15, 21
2 pm – 4

September

2 pm – 7, 29

Techniques

May

1 pm –17, 29

June

1 pm – 6, 21
2 pm – 1, 16

July

1 pm – 10, 18, 31
2 pm – 7, 28

August

1 pm – 14, 23, 29

September

1 pm – 11, 19, 27
2 pm – 1, 21