There’s something for everyone at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento. Renowned for its European master drawings, international ceramics, and the world’s foremost collection of California art, the museum also knows how to let loose with boisterous ArtMix parties, Off the Wall movie nights, Drink and Draw art classes, and so much more. It’s a place that’s serious about art but doesn’t take itself too seriously.

The museum’s stately mansion, completed in 1872, looms large on O Street, while the adjacent, contemporary Teel Family Pavilion, built in 2010, beckons visitors inside. Wander through the museum’s bright, airy spaces and you’ll encounter paintings, pottery, and pop art; docents having lively conversations with patrons; families eating in the café; and kids climbing on a pirate ship in Tot Land. And with ongoing gallery rotations and changing exhibitions, there’s always something new to see.

For more on what the museum has to offer, we chatted with Kat Haro, the museum’s director of marketing and communications.

What makes the Crocker Art Museum special?

The Crocker is the only art museum of this size and scope in our region. From international ceramics to contemporary work by California artists, there is such a diversity of art to see and be inspired by. We have over 25,000 pieces in our collection and we change the work on view constantly.

Can you share a “fun fact” about the museum?

Many people think that our beautiful historic building is the old Crocker family mansion, but in fact it was always intended to be open to the public with an art gallery and (at one time) a natural history exhibit in the ballroom. The first floor of the historic building, where our studio art classrooms are now, originally housed a billiards room, bowling alley, and roller rink!

Raúl Gonzo: Color Madness 

ArtMix

Crocker Wellness

The Crocker hosts a whopping 350 public programs a year. How do these further the museum’s mission?

These are some of the most impactful ways we bring art to life and build community. Some are straightforward, like tours and talks that give detail and depth to artwork and exhibitions, while others incorporate elements of play and non-visual art forms that bring people together. Museums aren’t always the most welcoming of places for all folks. Our hope is that, with the help of a diverse array of programs, we create a friendly and engaging entry point for visitors of all backgrounds to be able to benefit from and fall in love with the arts. 

Teen Art Lab

Baby Loves Art

Parents may be hesitant to bring children to a museum, but the Crocker welcomes kids. How do you make the museum inviting for families?

The Crocker is absolutely a place for families. From Baby Loves Art to Teen Art Labs, we have programs and classes for all ages, and on any visit, little ones can spend time in Tot Land, an interactive space designed just for our youngest visitors. Children can climb all over Dreamboat, create art of their own, and get their wiggles out in a safe space while they take a break from gallery exploration. 

What’s coming up in the next few months?

All our programs, events, and exhibitions are listed on our website (crockerart.org), but highlights include:

ArtMix: CrockerCon, September 12. Celebrating all things comics, pop culture, and cartoons. Cosplay as your favorite character to meet and mingle with cartoonists and comic book creators. CrockerCon is the only family-friendly ArtMix of the year; all others are ages 18+.

ArtMix: Color Madness, October 10. Enter the technicolor dreamworld of Sacramento-based artist Raúl Gonzo with groovy DJ sets, colorful cocktails, and immersive art installations. Ages 18+

Wee Halloween, October 26. Join us for a family-friendly Halloween experience featuring festive activities throughout the museum, a thrilling dance party in the ballroom, trick-or-treating, and more.

Teen Art Lab: Drip, November 24. Learn the ins and outs of fashion design, from sketching ideas to manipulating fabrics and crafting stunning designs on paper.

Holiday Week Tours. Join Crocker docents at 1 p.m. from December 26-29 for holiday-themed tours of the museum’s collection and exhibitions.

What can patrons look forward to in 2025?

As we close 2024, the Crocker will open an exhibition of portraits by Annie Leibovitz; this should be an exciting show by one of the world’s most well-known photographers. Also, after an outstanding 25 years at the Crocker, our director, Lial Jones, is retiring at the end of the year. Lial was instrumental in the creation of the Teel Family Pavilion, bringing in major exhibitions like Andy Warhol, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Norman Rockwell, as well as the museum’s focus on programs for visitors of all ages. In 2025, we look forward to welcoming a new director who will set a new vision for the museum and how we continue to serve the community.

Planning a visit? Purchase one-day tickets online (crockerart.org/tickets) or in person (kids 5 and under are free!). By becoming a member, you’ll score unlimited visits to the museum, specials previews, and exhibitions, while also receiving early access to classes and more. 

by Jennifer Maragoni
Photos courtesy of Crocker Art Museum.