The Crocker Art Museum is a Sacramento art museum, located at 216 O Street, that doubles as a recurring music and performance venue in the local scene, hosting art-and-music celebrations and concert series that pair live performance with its exhibitions.[1][2] Beyond its everyday role as a gallery where visitors "quietly soak in the historic and modern art pieces," the museum regularly transforms into a high-energy event space for parties and concerts.[3] Founded in 1885, it is the oldest public art museum in the Western United States.[4][5]
At a glance
- Located at 216 O St., Sacramento.[2]
- Founded 1885; oldest public art museum in the Western United States.[4][5]
- Hosts the recurring ArtMix series, themed 21-and-over art-and-music parties.[6][1][2]
- Hosts Jazz Night at the Crocker, described as Sacramento's longest-running summer jazz series (third Thursdays, June through September).[1]
- Has hosted both touring acts (RJD2, Thunderpussy) and local Sacramento acts (Doom Bird, Exquisite Corps, Young Aundee).[7][3][8][9][6]
- Programming ranges from hip-hop/DJ sets to chamber rock, jazz, and rock.
History
Margaret E. Crocker donated the gallery, grounds, and collection to the City of Sacramento on May 6, 1885, establishing what became the first public art museum founded in the Western United States.[4][5] The founding collection was assembled by her husband Judge Edwin B. Crocker and Margaret during a European tour from 1869 to 1871, during which they acquired 701 paintings and 1,344 master drawings.[10][5]
The institution was known as the Crocker Art Gallery until 1978, when it was renamed the Crocker Art Museum.[5][10]
On October 10, 2010, the museum opened the Teel Family Pavilion, a 125,000-square-foot expansion that more than tripled the museum's size.[4][5] The pavilion was designed by Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects and brought the museum's total footprint from 45,000 to 145,000 square feet.[5][10]
The Crocker is the only museum in the Sacramento region accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), a distinction held by fewer than 800 of the nation's approximately 17,500 museums.[4][10]
Role in the scene
The Crocker functions as a crossover venue where the visual-art institution and the live-music community intersect. Its events blend performances with art demonstrations, exhibition tie-ins, food, and drink, creating an atmosphere distinct from a typical club gig.[7][3] During the 2012 "Baroque Bash," for instance, the lobby served as the performance space — the "stage" consisted of two rugs on the floor — while guests sipped wine and beer and participated in costume-drawing demonstrations.[3] RJD2 noted in advance of his 2010 appearance that he expected the setting to differ from "a typical club gig."[7]
Recurring events and series
Neo-Crocker
"Neo-Crocker 2010: A Modern Culture Party" was held at the museum on Oct. 16, 2010, running 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. It featured touring DJ/producer RJD2 as a featured guest, alongside performances from DJ Shaun Slaughter and the Sacramento Ballet, with tickets at $75 in advance and $90 at the door.[7]
Baroque Bash
The "Baroque Bash" (Friday, Jan. 13, 2012) was a music-and-art celebration honoring the museum's exhibition Florence and the Baroque: Paintings from the Haukohl Family Collection. The event featured a classical performance by three instrumentalists (cello and two violins) followed by a set from local band Doom Bird.[3]
ArtMix
ArtMix is a recurring series of themed, generally 21-and-over art-and-music parties at the museum.[6][1][2] Documented editions include:
- A 2015 ArtMix featuring a DJ set by local artist Young Aundee.[9]
- FIERCE (March 8, 2018), featuring touring rock band Thunderpussy plus a DJ set by Rituals of Mine; 21-and-over, 6 p.m. start.[6]
- A June 14, 2018 edition themed "Pride the Musical," featuring Britney Spares and Friends, Underground Theatre Company, Green Valley Theatre Company, DJ Lady Char, the Sacramento Gay Men's Chorus and others; free for members or $10 otherwise.[2]
Summer Jazz Series (Jazz Night at the Crocker)
Described as Sacramento's longest-running summer jazz series, Jazz Night at the Crocker presents live jazz on the third Thursday of each month from June through September.[1] The 2017 lineup was curated based on recommendations from Capital Public Radio jazz music director Gary Vercelli, and featured Nicolas Bearde (June 15), Sandy Cressman (July 20), Ray Obiedo (Aug. 17), and Sacramento artist Vivian Lee (Sept. 21). Concerts started at 6:30 p.m., were all-ages, with food and wine available from the Crocker Café (by Supper Club).[1]
Other event programming
The museum has also served as a venue within larger Sacramento festivals: during the 2011 Bicycle Film Festival (May 12–14), the documentary Riding the Long White Cloud screened at the Crocker on May 12 following the festival's Opening Party.[11]
Notable performances and bookings
- RJD2 — Oregon-born touring DJ/producer, featured guest at Neo-Crocker 2010.[7]
- Doom Bird — local band (Kris Anaya and Joseph Davancens), played Baroque Bash 2012 backed by a rotating cast of local guests.[3]
- Exquisite Corps — local Sacramento chamber rock band that played a sold-out show at the Crocker.[8]
- Young Aundee (Andrew Southard) — local electronic/hip-hop artist, DJ set at a 2015 ArtMix.[9]
- Thunderpussy — Seattle-based rock band, played ArtMix FIERCE in 2018.[6]
- Rituals of Mine — DJ set at ArtMix FIERCE 2018.[6]
- Jazz Series performers including Nicolas Bearde, Sandy Cressman, Ray Obiedo, and Sacramento's Vivian Lee.[1]