Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

The museum-wide party returns on May 2, 2026, with a new theme inspired by "Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys" exhibition. 

San Diego, CA – April 10, 2026 — The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) returns with its second Avant Garde Ball on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 8PM to 12AM. Inspired by the next generation, this celebration brings together San Diego’s creative community for an unforgettable night of art, music, and fashion, all in support of MCASD’s mission to invite all people in our region and beyond to experience contemporary art. 

 Following last year’s sold-out inaugural Ball, which welcomed more than 400 creatives, innovators, and cultural leaders, the 2026 edition expands its presence with new art activations, electrifying performances, and immersive experiences throughout the museum’s galleries, which will be open the entire evening. 

 This year’s theme, Larger Than Life, draws inspiration from Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys, which encourages bigger, bolder, and boundary-breaking forms of self-expression. Guests are invited to show up as their most authentic selves, experimenting with captivating colors, proportions, and silhouettes in their fashion to celebrate individuality. 

 The event is chaired by MCASD Trustee Lorenza Fabre Vega and Bruno Meli, whose shared passion for supporting the arts reflects their belief in the meaningful role that cultural institutions play in nurturing bold ideas, emerging voices, and creative experimentation. Their involvement with the museum reflects their unified belief that art has the power to inspire dialogue, strengthen communities, and help shape the cultural future. 

 San Diego-specific elements incorporated into the night will pay homage to both the Chairs’ connection to San Diego culture and The Dean Collection Presents: Hometown Heroes, an exhibition made up of local photographers that will be on view at MCASD alongside Giants. Participating that night in a meet and greet in the galleries, Hometown Heroes artists, Chata, Oscar Cruz, and MJ Pimental, will speak on their experiences in creating the works on view. San Diego’s own contemporary dance company, The Rosin Box Project, will activate event spaces with an interactive performance inspired by the theme, Larger Than Life. Flavors drawn from Barrio Logan will be present through signature bites provided by food vendors including Alchemy Choose Thy Poison, Hayes Burger, Fish Guts, and more. 

 The night will be filled with vibrant rhythms featuring live music and DJ sets by: 

• Saint Misty - an up-and-coming synth-pop artist that combines ’70s/’80s pop inspiration and clever lyrics to create a sound that feels simultaneously fresh and nostalgic.  
• THE FAZES - a queer, POC, female-fronted band delivering disco grooves, punk energy, ’80s flair, and a futuristic edge.
• Goldie - a vinyl-only DJ bringing raw energy by blending rare funk, soul, disco, and house.  
• XOCHI - a San Diego-Tijuana region DJ, spinning seamless blends of dance music and vibrant LATAM rhythms.
• lydon & faeth - a San Diego-based electronic duo that specializes in groovy live house and breakcore music. 

VIP ticket holders will enjoy access to an exclusive lounge featuring a private performance by Carrington Kelso, a Black, queer storyteller that brings a pulsing, cinematic blend of pop, R&B, and electronic energy built for movement and release. Other VIP perks include a dedicated bar, elevated bites, a limited-edition gift, and a curated swag bag. 

Ticket Information 

Standard Ticket (Through April 24) 

General: $135 for Members / $150 for Non-Members 

VIP: $405 for Members / $450 for Non-Members  

Last Chance Ticket (Starting April 25) 

General: $162 for Members / $180 for Non-Members 

VIP: $486 for Members / $540 for Non-Members  

Tickets can be purchased online here 

Exclusive Avant Garde Ticket 
Upgrade your membership to MCASD’s next generation membership group, Avant Garde, to gain access to exclusive discounted tickets at just $75, now until May 2. 

ABOUT GIANTS
Museum Organized by the Brooklyn Museum in 2024, Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys will feature 37 Black American and diasporic artists from Africa, Europe, the United States, and the Caribbean whose monumental works tower in both scale, conceptual depth and technical skill. The Deans have fostered meaningful relationships with the wide array of artists included in the exhibition and the mission of Giants is a testament to their philosophy: “By the artists, for the artists, with the people.” The exhibition’s run at MCASD is the inaugural display of the collection on the West Coast. 

ABOUT HOMETOWN HEROES 
Drawn from The Dean Collection of Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz, The Dean Collection Presents: Hometown Heroes showcases selected works by local photographers–MJ Pimentel, Oscar Cruz, and Chata–alongside MCASD Collection works by artists from our region, including, Andrea Chung, Esteban Cabeza de Baca, and Fox Maxy. Works in this gallery evoke the border region’s cultural and ecological landscape and the communities who have long inhabited and shaped it. 

ABOUT MCASD 
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) is the region’s foremost forum devoted to the exploration and presentation of the art of today. Open since 1941, the Museum invites people to reflect on their lives, communities, and the ever-changing world through the powerful prism of contemporary art. Located along the ocean in the beautiful coastal community of La Jolla — MCASD showcases an internationally-recognized collection. Its dynamic exhibition schedule features a vast array of media in an unprecedented variety of spaces, along with a growing dedication to community experiences and public programs. 

 VISIT 
700 Prospect St, La Jolla, 92037 | www.mcasd.org | @mcasandiego 

 PRESS CONTACT 
Melissa Zuazo, Public Relations & Outreach Coordinator | mzuazo@mcasd.org | (858) 366-4264 

General Press Inquiries: press@mcasd.org