18th Street Arts Center Campus Tour: Art, History, and Public Space

Join us for a guided tour of 18th Street Arts Center, one of the largest artist residency programs in the United States and a cornerstone of Santa Monica’s creative community for nearly 40 years.

Located in the heart of Santa Monica’s Pico Neighborhood, 18th Street supports artists from around the world who are working at the intersection of art, civic engagement, and social impact. During this special tour for LA County employees, participants will explore our historic campus, visit working artist studios, and learn about the Center’s role in advancing cultural equity, cross-sector collaboration, and community wellbeing.

The program will include:

• A brief history of 18th Street and its evolution as a nationally recognized artist residency

• Visits to current exhibitions and conversations about artists-in-residence

• An introduction to site-specific public artworks on campus, including sculptural installations and socially engaged projects that activate shared space

• Discussion of how artists partner with government agencies and community organizations to address issues such as housing, health, climate, and civic participation
  

This tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at how contemporary artists shape public life in Los Angeles County and beyond.