Most First Friday galleries are open between 12noon and 9 p.m. on the First Friday of every month. Some are open earlier, others are open later. It is best to check the First Friday schedule and brochure for the most accurate information.
Because each gallery has their own vision and submission policy, it is in your best interest to visit the spaces and see which ones might best fit your style and contact them directly about their submission policies. If you send us a couple of images and a brief description by email, we might be able to point you in the direction of potential galleries.
The First Friday Art Tour is a Santa Cruz Institute of Contemporary Arts event, managed in conjunction with the participating Art venues. Through support by the participating venues we are able to put on monthly First Fridays and provide a detailed brochure and promotion each month for the ultimate Art Tour experience. We do appreciate the city's help in promoting our events and we are always finding new ways to work together to make the City of Santa Cruz and the surrounding areas all that it can be!
Yes, First Fridays takes place 12 months a year and always falls on the very first Friday of every month.
Where can I get a First Friday Art Tour Brochure?
You can pick up a monthly brochure at any of the participating venues on the tour. The brochures for upcoming First Fridays are usually available 5 working days in advance of the event. If you want to print one out, there is a .PDF available on this website.
Can I advertise in the First Friday Art Tour Brochure?
Each month we print over 1000 First Friday Art Tour brochures. These brochures are distributed to all of the local Participating Art Venues and Businesses that express an interest in attracting an art audience. Advertising in the brochure is inexpensive and effective way to reach an audience that has expressed interest in the arts and is interested in the culture of Santa Cruz. Media Kits are available on this site.
What happened to the Art Tour Bus?
For two of the five years that First Friday has been in existence we ran limited bus service to the various art venues. Because, First Fridays is funded by the contributions of the participating art venues, the costs of operating the bus cannot be covered on a monthly basis. We are currently looking at various options that will allow the bus to be a sustainable contribution to First Fridays. When that status changes we will keep you updated.
While free snacks and beverages are common at art receptions, do not expect all First Friday spaces to provide them. We encourage you to check out nearby restaurants or bring your own snacks and drinks. Please be aware that consumption of alcoholic beverages outdoors in public view is against local law.
What is the Criteria for being on the First Friday Art Tour?
You must be open to the public during the hours of at least 5pm-9pm on the First Friday of every month. There a must a visual art exhibition that rotates on a frequency of every 4-8 weeks. Listings must be submitted 2 weeks in advance in order to be included in the brochure.
Got Questions?
Send email to info@scica.org.
First Friday Art Tour is a community event that takes place the first Friday of each month throughout the City of Santa Cruz. The event is free and open to anyone. Between twenty and forty art venues are open between 5PM and 9PM for the Art Tour. Some venues have openings, talks, music, or other special activities. Others are simply open late. Individuals start their art tour by visiting any participating venue and picking up a copy of The First Friday Art Tour Brochure, the official publication of First Friday Art Tour.
Buy Art
Nearly all of the art on view is for sale. If you like it, buy it. Not only will you have
a treasure that you can cherish for years to come, you will be supporting the local art scene and making it possible to see more great
art in the future.