Faulkner Gallery is a public space for art exhibits available at the Santa Barbara Central Library. Most exhibits are the work of members of non-profit art organizations located within the Santa Barbara Public Library System service area. Exhibitions are usually for one month and are booked months in advance.

Exhibition Selection Process

Local Non-profit Art Organizations are invited to submit requests to exhibit, which must include the following details:

  • Description of the organization
  • Number of members
  • History of exhibitions by the organization
  • Type of art
  • Description of the selection process
  • Order of preference of months to exhibit

Solo Shows at the Central Library

Solo shows are held in the small Faulkner Galleries - Faulkner East and West. Individual artists are selected annually through jurying managed by the Santa Barbara Art Association on behalf of the library. Individual artists can submit applications for solo shows only after selection through the jurying process.

Santa Barbara Central Library Exhibition Spaces

Faulkner Gallery charges per month for use of exhibit space in accordance with City of Santa Barbara Resolution No. 17-058.

Non-profit art organizations may request to exhibit their members' artwork during a calendar month. The space available at the Central Library includes:

Faulkner Gallery

  • For group exhibitions of artwork by members of one of the local non-profit art organizations
  • Room Size - 30' x 50' (1,500 sq. ft.)
  • A monthly fee
  • Separate charges and an additional meeting room booking are needed to hold a reception.

Faulkner Galleries East and West

  • For one-person or small group shows by artists whose work has been selected by a jury organized for Library exhibitions by the local non-profit art community.
  • Room Size - 11' x 22' (242 sq. ft.)
  • A monthly for each gallery
  • Separate charges and an additional meeting room booking are needed to hold a reception.

Send requests or questions to Santa Barbara Public Library, Administration, PO Box 1019, Santa Barbara, CA 93102-1019. LibraryAdmin@SantaBarbaraCA.gov | 805-564-5608

Additional Information

Artists using any of the gallery spaces are responsible for providing the necessary tools and equipment for installing and removing exhibit items, for providing any notice or publicity on the exhibit and for insurance coverage. Note that all Library exhibit areas also serve as community meeting spaces and may be scheduled for Library events or for meetings, lectures, and presentations by other organizations.

Santa Barbara Art Association

Santa Barbara Art Association is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with over 500 artists who exhibit their original works in diverse media at local venues including the Faulkner Gallery in the S.B. Public Library and Gallery 113. Founded 0ver 60 years ago, the Santa Barbara Art Association juries in new members twice a year. The Santa Barbara Art Association provides annual scholarships of $1,000 to a student at UCSB, SBCC, and Westmont College. SBAA also donates money to its Student Art Fund which raises money to support art in the local Junior and High Schools