As if the terrain of the state were itself a silver screen, a stage, a canvas or a computer screen, California showcases creative innovation in every genre, from the written word and music to film and technology.
Following are eight superb attractions that embody California’s creative output and double as intriguing places for groups to visit and hold an off-site gathering.
The California Museum, Sacramento
www.californiamuseum.org
The Sacramento-based California Museum, the official state history museum, is home to the California Hall of Fame, which former first lady Maria Shriver created to honor people who embody California’s innovative spirit. Inductees include Cesar Chavez, Willie Mays, Dave Brubeck and Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel.
According to Brenna Hamilton, spokeswoman for the museum, group tours and team-building workshops are available.
“The California Museum is a destination location offering a variety of facility rental options against a variety of unique California historical and cultural settings,” she says.
Situated just one block from the California State Capitol, the museum can accommodate conferences, receptions and corporate parties in venues including the Constitutional Wall Courtyard and an audiovisual-equipped auditorium.
Green Music Center, Rohnert Park
www.gmc.sonoma.edu
The inaugural season at Sonoma State University‘s brand-new Green Music Center, which was designed to replicate the acoustics of Vienna’s Musikverein, began last month and includes performances by the university’s orchestra in residence, the Santa Rosa Symphony, Bill Maher and Yo-Yo Ma.
“What better place to witness firsthand the innovation and creative output of California than at a public university,” says Neil Markley, the venue’s senior director of entrepreneurial services.
Groups can either take in a show or book an event at Green Music Center, located on-campus in Rohnert Park. Its spaces include executive conference rooms, the concert hall and its lobby, and a courtyard situated amid 125-year-old olive trees.
Walt Disney Family Museum,
San Francisco
www.waltdisney.org
Visitors to the Walt Disney Family Museum will find animation, innovation and inspiration through countless numbers of cartoons, movies, music and more in 10 interactive galleries that tell the story of the legendary Walt Disney.
The museum provides both self-guided tours and docent-lead tours, according to Jessica Blake, the museum’s events manager. PageBreak
“Groups can be greeted by either the CEO or the director of collections,” Blake says. “Located in the Presidio of San Francisco, the museum is one of the Bay Area’s most inspiring event and meeting venues.”
Cocktail receptions or seated dinners in the lobby; receptions, lectures and presentations in the lower lobby or theater; and receptions or seated dinners in the special exhibition hall are among the options.
University of California, Berkeley Art Museum
and Pacific Film Archive (BAM/PFA), Berkeley
www.bampfa.berkeley.edu
BAM/PFA’s collection of more than 16,000 works of art includes important holdings of Ming and Qing Dynasty Chinese paintings, Old Master works on paper, and contemporary photography and video art. Its film archive includes more than 14,000 films and videos, including Hollywood classics.
According to Peter Cavagnaro, spokesman for BAM/PFA, tours by UC Berkeley graduate students of major exhibits can be arranged for a fee, and group admission rates are available.
“Occasionally, by request and depending on other factors, we have done special tea ceremonies in concert with our Asian art presentations and other themed workshops for groups that may mesh with particular exhibitions,” Cavagnaro says.
Gathering spots include an outdoor sculpture garden and concourse well-suited for cocktail receptions and seated dinners.
Computer History Museum, Mountain View
www.computerhistory.org
The Computer History Museum is located in the heart of Silicon Valley in Mountain View and contains some of the hallmark artifacts of Silicon Valley’s history.
“You can see where global computer giants like HP, Intel, Apple and Google had their humble beginnings, and learn how technology has transformed the world,” says Paris L. Sischka, the museum’s membership and visitor programs manager.
Customized group tour packages are available, as are daily docent-led tours and demonstrations for walk-ins.
Sischka adds that receptions, conferences, product launches, fundraising events and gala dinners are accommodated.
The Tech Museum, San Jose
www.thetech.org
The Tech Museum is the place to go to for forward-thinking science and technology innovation, says Maureen Langan, the museum’s director of events.
“The museum aspires to be a reflection of the very same creativity, risk-taking and trial-and-error culture that made Silicon Valley great,” she says, citing the popular Tech Silicon Valley Innovation Gallery. “It highlights the intersection of art and technology and the far-reaching impact this revolution has had on creativity.”
In addition to interactive exhibit galleries, tours, classes and team-building experiences are available.
The museum’s versatile, three-level layout can accommodate 25 to 2,500 people for cocktail and buffet receptions or up to 500 for sit-down dinners, Langan says, adding that the entire museum or a combination of gallery spaces can also be used for events.
“The technically advanced and visually stunning IMAX theater is also available for presentations, product launches or movies,” she says. PageBreak
The Hollywood Museum, Hollywood
www.thehollywoodmuseum.com
The Hollywood Museum shares the history of Hollywood and the creative motion picture and television industry through 10,000 exhibits of showbiz treasures, as well as the magic of Hollywood “Makeup King” Max Factor, who created the glamorous looks of stars ranging from Marilyn Monroe to Judy Garland, according to Donelle Dadigan, founder and president of the museum, which is located in Hollywood’s historic Max Factor Building.
“The museum reflects the creative talent of Hollywood’s most famous professionals, including stars, directors and other key behind-the-scenes artisans,” she says.
Private tours are available with Dadigan, and many different specialists and speakers are available upon request for events, during which groups will have access to a private viewing of all exhibits.
“The museum exhibits are great icebreakers because motion pictures and television displays are great common denominators,” Dadigan says.
Spaces include a grand ballroom, the historic photo gallery and Hannibal Lecter’s jail cell.
Museum of Making Music, Carlsbad
www.museumofmakingmusic.org
Up the road from San Diego in Carlsbad is a museum that, according to spokesman B.J. Morgan, explores the connections between the people who make, play and use musical instruments, and regularly features performances, exhibits and educational outreach programs presented by local artists and instrument makers.
Morgan says interactive, docent-led tours of the museum are available for groups at no extra charge with advance booking.
Cocktail receptions are accommodated in the museum’s gallery spaces.
