Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center

Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center Explore the rich heritage of the Santa Ynez Chumash people. Open Thursday-Sunday from 10am-5pm.

Guests of the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center are often greeted by volunteers who are stationed throughout...
06/20/2026

Guests of the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center are often greeted by volunteers who are stationed throughout the property, available to assist with providing additional insight and background on the Santa Ynez Chumash culture and history. These volunteers are all members of the Santa Ynez Chumash community, known as β€˜alaspaxan (teacher) volunteers.

Jacy is one of these special volunteers, who grew up on the Santa Ynez Reservation immersed in her culture and now volunteers her time to share her experiences with museum visitors.

When asked about her experience volunteering, Jacy shared, "I feel a sense of pride when walking into this beautiful building our tribe built and seeing museum Team Members smiling. We greet each other knowing we are working together to build on making the museum outstanding for all to enjoy."

Be sure to say hello to Jacy if you see her during your next visit!

06/19/2026

The permanent exhibit at the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center offers an in-depth look at the Chumash way of life, as it was for our ancestors and as it is for the tribal community today.

Among the cultural practices shared are traditional games of skill and chance like Handgame, which have been passed down through the generations and play an important role in community gatherings today.

We welcome you to learn more about the museum's permanent exhibit by visiting: https://www.sychumashmuseum.org/permanent-exhibit/.

School programs at the museum bring the exhibits to life and play a key role in supporting the museum’s mission: π‘‡π‘œ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘š...
06/18/2026

School programs at the museum bring the exhibits to life and play a key role in supporting the museum’s mission:

π‘‡π‘œ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘šπ‘œπ‘‘π‘’ π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘ π‘π‘’π‘π‘‘, 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑑𝑖𝑙𝑙 π‘˜π‘›π‘œπ‘€π‘™π‘’π‘‘π‘”π‘’, π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘’π‘›π‘π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘”π‘’ π‘œπ‘π‘’π‘› π‘π‘’π‘™π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘™ π‘‘π‘–π‘ π‘π‘’π‘ π‘ π‘–π‘œπ‘›π‘  𝑏𝑦 π‘ β„Žπ‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘‘π‘Žπ‘”π‘’ π‘œπ‘“ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘“π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘ π‘‘ π‘π‘’π‘œπ‘π‘™π‘’ π‘œπ‘“ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’π‘Ž – π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘ π‘’π‘›π‘‘-π‘‘π‘Žπ‘¦ π‘†π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘π‘Ž π‘Œπ‘›π‘’π‘§ π΅π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘œπ‘“ πΆβ„Žπ‘’π‘šπ‘Žπ‘ β„Ž πΌπ‘›π‘‘π‘–π‘Žπ‘›π‘ .

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation seeks to eliminate as many barriers as possible so that all schools in Santa Barbara County can experience our museum. Chumash Foundation currently offers two distinct grants to support school field trips:

β€’ Inspire & Explore Access Grant: Covers the cost of admission for students.
β€’ Journey to Discovery Grant: Provides funds to offset transportation costs to the museum.

To learn more about these grant opportunities and submit an application, please visit the β€œMuseum Grants for Schools & Students” section at chumash.gov/foundation.

We are so pleased that you enjoyed your visit Michael, and we look forward to seeing you and your friends for a future v...
06/18/2026

We are so pleased that you enjoyed your visit Michael, and we look forward to seeing you and your friends for a future visit! We appreciate you sharing your experience with us, and others. 🧑

Michael's full review on Facebook:

"The exhibition is magnificent and without question a must see experience. If you have not yet visited the new [Santa Ynez] Chumash Museum and Cultural Center, it is beyond extraordinary. The sense of place is deeply affecting, moving and inspiring. How fortunate we are to have this opportunity in our Valley. We have plans to visit this exhibition again and bringing friends. You will be stunned. Very grateful. Thank you."

The Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center not only celebrates the rich history of Chumash culture, innovation an...
06/11/2026

The Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center not only celebrates the rich history of Chumash culture, innovation and resilience, it honors the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians' commitment to preserving these sacred traditions for generations to come.

This is a place for guests to experience the cultural heritage and vision of our proud tribe, and a point of reflection and gathering for Santa Ynez Chumash community members wishing to explore their own legacy.

πŸ“·: Santa Ynez Chumash youth exploring their tribe's history and culture as part of a special program called Camp KalawaΕ‘aq' (Camp K), an annual summer camp for Santa Ynez Chumash youth hosted by the tribe's Culture Department.

Thank you for exploring all that we have to offer, Marjolaine. We appreciate you sharing your experience with us, and ot...
06/10/2026

Thank you for exploring all that we have to offer, Marjolaine. We appreciate you sharing your experience with us, and others. 🧑

Did you know that we offer a variety of Museum Membership options for individuals and families?Each membership includes:...
06/08/2026

Did you know that we offer a variety of Museum Membership options for individuals and families?

Each membership includes:

β€’ Unlimited admission for one year.
β€’ Invitations to member-only previews or exclusive member events.
β€’ 10% discount at Museum Gift Shop and ticketed special programs.
β€’ 10% discount on educational programming.
β€’ A one-year subscription to the Museum's quarterly newsletter.

Individual memberships are $60 and Family memberships are $125. Special membership options are also available for students, military, educators and Tribal Nations Citizens! Join today at: https://www.sychumashmuseum.org/become-a-member/.

Throughout the permanent exhibit guests can find a variety of interactive features that offer further insight to the ric...
06/06/2026

Throughout the permanent exhibit guests can find a variety of interactive features that offer further insight to the rich history and culture of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.

Among them is a special collection of traditional musical instruments used to celebrate, honor, and heal, making them an integral part of daily life. The accompanying touchscreen monitor allows visitors to learn about the materials used in each instrument's creation, the method with which it is played, and even hear the unique sounds they make!

We welcome you to explore all that the Permanent Exhibit has to offer by visiting: https://www.sychumashmuseum.org/permanent-exhibit/.

Our 3.5-acre Cultural Park is an open air exhibit dedicated to our ancestral lands.Carefully cultivated to include local...
06/05/2026

Our 3.5-acre Cultural Park is an open air exhibit dedicated to our ancestral lands.

Carefully cultivated to include local flora our ancestors relied on for food, medicine, and manufacturing, this park gives visitors the chance to learn not only the common and botanical names for the plants found within, but also the traditional names in the Samala language.

Access to the Cultural Park is included with museum admission, and free to all Museum Members. Reserve your tickets online at sychumashmuseum.org!

Meet The Artist: Christopher Leith EvansOur new Temporary Exhibit features a truly unique collection of paintings by art...
06/05/2026

Meet The Artist: Christopher Leith Evans

Our new Temporary Exhibit features a truly unique collection of paintings by artist Christopher Evans, whose work centers on the visual interpretation of cultural knowledge through a research-based and technically detailed approach.

Early in his career, Evans gained experience contributing to projects associated with National Geographic and Industrial Light & Magic, where he developed a strong foundation in visual storytelling, research, and technical precision. Drawing from historical sources, field study, and direct engagement, his paintings emphasize structure, clarity, and narrative expression.

For 𝐡𝑒𝑑𝑀𝑒𝑒𝑛 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘‡β„Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’π‘’ π‘Šπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘™π‘‘π‘ : πΆπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘šπ‘œπ‘›π‘¦ π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ πΆπ‘œπ‘šπ‘šπ‘’π‘›π‘–π‘‘π‘¦ 𝑖𝑛 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘ƒπ‘Žπ‘–π‘›π‘‘π‘–π‘›π‘”π‘  π‘œπ‘“ πΆβ„Žπ‘Ÿπ‘–π‘ π‘‘π‘œπ‘β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿ πΈπ‘£π‘Žπ‘›π‘ , Evans developed this body of work through extended dialogue and research, including in-depth interviews and collaborative exploration of Chumash cultural themes. This process informed a series of paintings that reflect elements of ceremony, community life, and worldview, approached with care, intentionality, and respect for the cultural knowledge that informs each composition.

Address

3500 Numancia Street
Santa Ynez, CA
93460

Opening Hours

Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+18056867500

Website

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