WORKSHOPS & TRAINING

professional development WORKSHOPS

Make It: Building a Public Art Practice, a workshop series for artists is designed to support artists interested in working in a public art context.

Led by nationally respected public art professionals Susan F. Gray and Pat Gomez, this 10-session workshop series provides practical guidance on navigating public art opportunities—from finding calls and preparing applications to budgeting, fabrication, installation, and long-term care of artworks.

Most sessions will be held on Zoom, and registration is required for each workshop by clicking on the session title. Participants are welcome to register for the full series or select the sessions that are most relevant to them.

Make It Workshop schedule and registration links

Thursday, April 9, 2026*
6:00 PM-7:30 PM
Make It Social: Connect with Fellow Public Artists
(In person social at the Santa Barbara Public Market)

Thursday, April 16, 2026
6:00 PM-7:30 PM
Build it, and they will come: Coordinating with architects, engineers, and construction teams

Thursday, April 23, 2026
6:00 PM-7:30 PM
Tomorrowland: Planning for durability, maintenance, and conservation

Thursday, April 30
6:00 PM-7:30 PM
The Heavy Stuff: Contracts, insurance, and legal considerations

Saturday, May 2, 2026**
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
The Public Part of Public Art
(In person event location TBA)

*The April 9 Make It Social is an informal, artist gathering designed for connection and conversation. No workshop content will be presented, and facilitators will not be present.

**The final session on May 2 will be held in person and will include facilitated content and programming.

This workshop series is funded by UPLIFT Central Coast, a regional initiative supported through California Jobs First that invests in workforce development and economic opportunity across the Central Coast.

GRANT WORKSHOPS

Grant workshops are free, but require advance registration. All applicants are required to attend a workshop to apply for both City and County grants. Click on a date below to register for the workshop.

County of Santa Barbara Arts Making Impact (AMI) Grant Workshop