The life of man is a self-evolving circle,
which, from a ring imperceptibly small,
rushes on all sides outwards to new and larger circles,
and that without end.
— Emerson
2026 Theme: Awakening to Interdependence
Spinoza: The Radical in the Tulip Patch
Saturday, June 27, 2026
- In Person at Concord Hall, 1407 Chapala St., and Livestream on YouTube*
- 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (PT)
FREE & OPEN TO ALL – This talk explores how Dutch Golden Age art and the philosophy of Benedict Spinoza emerged together, revealing a new vision of the sacred within everyday life. By examining the connection between artistic realism and philosophical inquiry, we discover a uniquely modern understanding of human freedom, nature, and unity.
Founders Day Celebration
Saturday, July 4, 2026
- In Person at Concord Hall, 1407 Chapala St., & Livestream on YouTube*
- 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (PT)
FREE & OPEN TO ALL – Join us for a discussion of Shri Raghavan Iyer’s landmark address delivered on July 4, 1976, marking the public founding of the Institute of World Culture in Santa Barbara.
Uptown-Downtown: American Art for a New Century, 1890-1920
Saturday, July 11, 2026
- In Person at Concord Hall, 1407 Chapala St., and Livestreaming on YouTube*
- 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (PT)
FREE & OPEN TO ALL – The Ashcan School was America’s first modern art movement, capturing both the realities of urban life and the energy of a rapidly changing nation. Through scenes of everyday people, its artists helped define a uniquely American vision of modern identity and culture.