Visual Art and Museums

On view at the Mingei International Museum, To Catch a Fish (May 2 – November 1, 2026) explores the global relationship between people and the sea through more than 60 works of craft and art—from handwoven fishing tools to ceremonial objects and contemporary works, including pieces by Indigenous artist Marianne Nicolson. Elevating the experience, the museum’s Michelin-recognized, award-winning restaurant ARTIFACT will host a special edition of its ARTIFACT at Nightdinner series on May 21, inspired by coastal cuisines and seafood traditions from around the world.

A new exhibition at the USS Midway Museum tells the story of the Midway 11, USS Midway aviators who were captured during the Vietnam War, and endured captivity as prisoners of war in North Vietnam. Through personal accounts and historic artifacts, Captive Warriors: The Story of the Midway 11 honors their resilience and their return home with honor in 1973. 

The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is the only West Coast venue to present Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys from April 18 through August 9. Organized by the Brooklyn Museum, the exhibition features more than 130 works by 37 Black American and diasporic artists from Africa, Europe, the United States and the Caribbean, drawn from the personal collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys. Marking the collection’s San Diego debut, the thematically organized show offers a powerful, large-scale exploration of contemporary art and cultural legacy.

San Diego Art Matters and the International Community Foundation, in partnership with the Prebys Foundation and the City of San Diego Cultural Affairs, are launching Artists Count: San Diego + Tijuana. The initiative’s first-of-its-kind research effort aims to engage artists across San Diego County and Tijuana with the goal of documenting the real economic and civic impact of working artists. Alongside the research, the initiative will invest $1.3 million directly into 42 artists across the region, paired with professional development to support artists advancing their practice, strengthening communities and collaborating across borders.