Where Learning Knows No Age: Explore, Create, Discover

Education is at the heart of UC Irvine's Langson Institute and Museum of California Art’s mission and its connection to our community. We offer a wide range of year-round educational programs designed to ignite creativity, inspire a lifelong love of the arts, and foster meaningful dialogue about California art. Our programs cater to people of all ages, from K-12 students to UC Irvine students, adults, and families. These include free gallery talks, hands-on art-making workshops, and special events that engage and inspire. Additionally, we provide free, curriculum-based programming for teachers, encouraging schools to bring students for enriching museum visits.

Join our email list at the bottom of this page to receive the latest programming information.

Families

Looking for fun, hands-on activities the whole family can enjoy? Langson IMCA offers a variety of art-making workshops and family-friendly programs. For each exhibition, we introduce a new activity in our Education Studio, designed to engage visitors of all ages. These self-guided activities, with clear instructions at each table, are ideal for children ages 3 and up. Adult assistance is recommended for tasks that require fine motor skills. Our Education Studio is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (unless otherwise posted) and features a thoughtfully curated selection of art books for kids and families to enjoy together.

"Making Together," a series of art making videos are available for teachers, students, parents, and caregivers on Langson IMCA's Vimeo channel.

On select Saturdays, we also host popular drop-in workshops guided by guest artists, allowing kids to work directly with creators in a range of artistic mediums. 

Teens and Adults

We offer a wide range of public programs connected to our exhibitions and the artworks on display. Our gallery talks, led by the exhibition curator, provide opportunities for engaging questions and meaningful discussions. Additionally, we often host special Saturday sessions with art-making activities designed for teens and adults.

As part of a leading research university, we often collaborate with multidisciplinary faculty to examine the themes and cultural context of California art from various academic perspectives.

Check our public program page for the latest listings, event details, and guest speakers.

Visitors with Disabilities

Our museum is fully ADA accessible and provides art-making activities designed to be inclusive and engaging for groups with disabilities.

Opportunities for our UC Irvine Community

Academic Engagement at Langson IMCA supports both undergraduate and graduate students with diverse interests and experiences. We foster connections between students, faculty, and museum staff, providing opportunities to learn from and engage with our permanent collection. Our programming is designed to create pathways toward a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable museum experience, encouraging fresh discussions around California art and exploring the broad impact art can have.

We are committed to amplifying the voices of UC Irvine students, offering training and mentorship across a range of academic disciplines.

Academic Engagement Highlights:

• Customized Guided Tours: Tailored to specific curriculum needs, ensuring relevance to classroom learning objectives.
• Collections Access: Available for research purposes to support in-depth study.
• Educational Resources: Including digital materials and in-class presentations that align with academic goals.
• Interactive Learning Experiences: Providing students with hands-on opportunities to engage directly with artworks, fostering a deeper understanding of subject matter across disciplines.

Recently, Langson IMCA organized a workshop led by Ray Williams, MA and EdM, with a cohort of Doctor of Nursing Practice students from UCI Sue and Bill Gross School of Nursing. An award-winning museum educator and now director of education at the Blanton Museum of Art at The University of Texas, Austin, Ray has been working at the intersection of art museums and healthcare for over two decades. His efforts with medical professionals help to develop curiosity and empathy; nurture spiritual health and wellbeing; improve team dynamics; and support young clinicians in dealing with grief and loss – all through the lens of visual arts. We anticipate that this is the first of many such offerings sponsored by Langson IMCA designed to spark cross-campus exchange and connection.

For more information or to discuss how we can support your class or research, please reach out to us.

Paid Student Internships

UC Irvine students can take advantage of various part-time, paid internships year-round. Undergraduate and graduate students across all disciplines interested in museum work are encouraged to apply. Focused on comprehensive learning and professional development within the arts, the program seeks to educate and inspire the next generation of museum professionals and support them in their endeavors while they contribute to Langson IMCA strategic goals.

Visit our employment listings for current opportunities.

K – 12 Schools

School visits contribute to the development of stronger critical-thinking skills, empathy, and curiosity about art and culture. When students are encouraged to express themselves and take risks in discussing and creating art, they awaken their imaginations and nurture their creative and innovative potential. These visits offer opportunities for students to develop observation and interpretation skills using visual and sensory information, build knowledge independently and with one another, and cultivate an interest in artistic production.

Our exhibitions provide unique perspectives that offer invaluable learning opportunities for students of all ages.

We offer a complimentary school visit program led by professional art educators that includes:

• An in-school art introduction
• An art-making workshop inspired by works from our permanent collection (all supplies provided)
• A museum visit to experience the current exhibition, with transportation included

The program also provides digital, exhibition-inspired teacher resource guides to support curriculum goals. For more information on school visits and educational programs, please complete the form below. We look forward to inspiring your students and connecting them with art, ideas, and the world around them.

To request more information on the school visit program, please complete and submit the form below or contact Sofia Gutierrez, Associate Director of Education and Community Engagement, at sofiag7@uci.edu.