Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz Bring Giant Art Exhibit to La Jolla

MCASD La Jolla to host over 130 works from the couple's Dean Collection, including a 25-foot Mickalene Thomas piece.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego's La Jolla campus will host the touring exhibition "Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys" from April 18 to August 9, 2026. The show features over 130 works from the couple's personal art collection, including a massive 25-foot piece by artist Mickalene Thomas. A public preview is scheduled for April 17.

Why it matters

The exhibition is expected to draw new audiences to the museum, with Swizz Beatz noting that 80% of attendees at previous stops have been first-time art show visitors. The large-scale works and immersive installations aim to broaden exposure to Black contemporary art.

The details

Organized by the Brooklyn Museum, the "Giants" exhibition has toured nationally, stopping at institutions like the High Museum and Minneapolis Institute of Art. The La Jolla presentation will feature a Marvin Gaye-heavy soundtrack curated by Beatz and Keys. Tickets are priced at $25 for general admission, $20 for San Diego and Tijuana residents, and $15 for students, educators, and visitors 55 and older.

  • The public preview is scheduled for April 17, 2026 from 6 to 9 PM.
  • The full exhibition will be open to the public from April 18 to August 9, 2026.

The players

Swizz Beatz

A musician, producer, and art collector who co-owns the Dean Collection with his wife, Alicia Keys.

Alicia Keys

A musician and singer-songwriter who co-owns the Dean Collection with her husband, Swizz Beatz.

Mickalene Thomas

An artist whose 25-foot piece will be featured in the exhibition at the MCASD La Jolla.

Kimberli Gant

The curator of modern and contemporary art at the Brooklyn Museum, who organized the "Giants" exhibition.

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD)

The museum hosting the "Giants" exhibition at its La Jolla campus.

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What they’re saying

“Eighty percent of the people who have been coming to the show, this is their first time at an art exhibition.”

— Swizz Beatz (The San Diego Union-Tribune)

“The La Jolla galleries are absolutely stunning.”

— Alicia Keys (The San Diego Union-Tribune)

What’s next

The "Giants" exhibition is expected to continue touring nationally through around 2030, with the La Jolla presentation being one stop on the longer cross-country run.

The takeaway

This exhibition aims to broaden audiences for Black contemporary art by showcasing large-scale works and immersive installations from the Dean Collection, co-owned by high-profile musicians Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz. The La Jolla stop is expected to draw new visitors to the museum and expose them to a diverse range of artistic voices.