Bakersfield Museum of Art Expands to Sunday Schedule

New hours allow more families and working adults to visit the 70-year-old downtown museum.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 10:39am

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The Bakersfield Museum of Art is expanding its hours to include Sundays for the first time, moving to a Wednesday through Sunday schedule from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Museum leaders say the change comes after community feedback showed limited weekday hours made it hard for families and working adults to visit the 70-year-old downtown institution.

Why it matters

The expanded schedule allows the museum to better serve the local community and provide more opportunities for people to experience the arts. As a long-standing cultural institution in Bakersfield, increasing accessibility is important for the museum's continued relevance and impact.

The details

Starting on February 2, the Bakersfield Museum of Art will be open on Sundays in addition to its existing Wednesday through Saturday schedule. The new hours will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Museum leaders say the change was made in response to community feedback indicating that the limited weekday hours made it difficult for families and working adults to visit the museum.

  • The Bakersfield Museum of Art has served the region for 70 years.
  • The new Sunday hours will begin on February 2, 2026.

The players

Bakersfield Museum of Art

A 70-year-old art museum located in downtown Bakersfield, California that serves the local community.

Gilbert Vicario

The executive director of the Bakersfield Museum of Art.

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What they’re saying

“Sunday hours allow more people to experience the arts and give the museum flexibility for weekend events.”

— Gilbert Vicario, Executive Director (turnto23.com)

The takeaway

The Bakersfield Museum of Art's expansion to Sunday hours demonstrates its commitment to increasing accessibility and serving the diverse needs of the local community, ensuring more people can experience the arts regardless of their work or family schedules.