Celebrate Arts, Culture & Creativity Month and National Poetry Month in Santa Monica

March 25, 2026 11:14 AM
by City of Santa Monica

April is Arts, Culture & Creativity Month in California, as well as National Poetry Month! It’s a chance to celebrate the many ways creativity shapes our communities – from exhibitions and live performances to programs at libraries, in classrooms, and at neighborhood gatherings.

Established in 2019 by California for the Arts, Arts, Culture & Creativity Month recognizes the vital role that arts and culture play across the state, while promoting advocacy for the creative sector. Santa Monica is proud to participate once again by inviting residents to explore free programs, resources and opportunities to engage with the arts close to home.

Join us for Santa Monica’s Arts, Culture & Creativity Month kickoff at the new Santa Monica City Gallery at Bergamot Arts Center on Friday, April 10, from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. This free community event will feature a reception celebrating Arts Month and the launch of the City Gallery with an exhibition of architectural models by USC Architecture students, created from the designs of ten professional architecture firms responding to the needs of Palisades and Altadena fire rebuilds.

April is also National Poetry Month, a nationwide celebration founded by the Academy of American Poets in 1996 that has grown into the world’s largest literary celebration. Each year, millions of readers, writers, students and educators mark the occasion by sharing poems, attending readings and discovering new voices. Poetry invites us to reflect, connect and see the world in new ways. In Santa Monica, the celebration includes special programming throughout the month.

Beginning April 1, families with children ages 3 to 11 can pick up a National Poetry Month Take & Make Kit at all locations of the Santa Monica Public Library to explore poetry through creative activities at home. Residents can also celebrate with Santa Monica’s new Poet Laureate, Jay Baldwin, at a special reception on April 11 at the Main Library. Baldwin authored the City’s proclamation for Arts, Culture & Creativity Month and National Poetry Month, which will be presented at the Santa Monica City Council meeting on April 14.

Throughout April, the City of Santa Monica and cultural partners will host a wide range of arts, culture, and poetry programs across the city. Explore the many events below and check back for updates as new programs are added.

Arts & Culture Month Programming

Water is a Currency

Exhibit opening April 4, 1 – 3 p.m.

Exhibit on display through Sept. 27

Annenberg Community Beach House

Santa Monica City Gallery Opening

Exhibit opening Friday, April 10, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Exhibit on display Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., through Sept. 20

Santa Monica City Gallery, Bergamot Station

Under One Roof

Curator Tour & Conversation Sunday, April 12, 2 – 5 p.m.

Exhibit on display Thursday through Sunday, 12 – 5 p.m., through May 31