Always interesting exhibits of all sorts. Will beguile contemporary art lovers as well as neophytes. If you join, you get invited to cool talks, events and trips. The staff is great - friendly and knowledgeable. CAF is a Santa Barbara gem - I urge Santa Barbarians to visit often and visitors to the area to spend time at CAF to... More

........you will experience up and coming artistes in the spirit of the greatest performance artiste LAURIE ANDERSON!!!!! at the 1st thursday events at the Contemporary Arts Forum...upstairs above Panda Express and Eureka Gourmet Burgers and California Pizza Kitchen down the walk from Brookstone Massage Chairs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and their new head massage machine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm going to be honest; there really isn't much contemporary art in Santa Barbara that is exciting, engaging, or even relevant. I am often disappointed with the venues that show contemporary work, but the Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts was an absolute exception. The exhibition that was being shown when I visited was intriguing and challenging, and the work spanned across... More

Their shows are very, very good. Themes are sometimes beautiful, sometimes thought-provoking or challenging. Always worth the trip!

I wasn't sure what to expect when merely reading the name in my travel book, but I'm glad I went with my instincts because this hidden gem is a must see. I was given the opportunity to meet the director and curator Miki Garcia and what a delight she is! I felt like I was on a private tour at... More

The Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum is a little known art space located upstairs in the Paseo Nuevo Mall, and is the only space in Santa Barbara committed to showing and promoting contemporary art. It's free to enter and makes a great art escape and break from shopping while downtown. They aren't a museum (they don't have a permanent collection)... More