Balboa Park Beat

Half-price museum admission, beer tasting at the History Center, and eight other reasons to be excited about February

posted on: 01/25/2012 - 10:23pm by mdougherty

Forty museums in San Diego -- 13 in Balboa Park alone-- are participating in San Diego Museum Month. Pick up a free Museum Month pass from any participating Macy's store in San Diego, Temecula, or Imperial Valley for half-price admission to the participating museums all month long. Plus, the short month is packed with exhibition openings and special events in Balboa Park. Some of the highlights:

New shows

On February 1, the San Diego Air & Space Museum is opening its new exhibition, “How Things Fly.” But SDASM’s major event is on the evening of February 18, when the museum honors the men and women who served in WWII during the Spirit of ’45 Awards & Celebration Dinner.

The exhibition “Unusual Suspects: Paintings and Photographs by Holly Roberts” is opening February 4 at the Museum of Photographic Arts. Roberts combines painting and collage to challenge viewers’ perception of the photographic medium.

If you have a “less is more” philosophy regarding art, go to Gallery 21 at the Spanish Village Art Center. The gallery is hosting the 37th annual Small...Read The Rest

Young Scientists Program at the Fleet

posted on: 01/19/2012 - 3:33pm by mdougherty

Adrian Gonzalez, a student at High Tech High Media Arts, is interning in the marketing department at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. To practice his cinematography skills, Adrian created this video of the Fleet's Young Scientists program:

We had fun at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, with week one of our Winter Wonderland session for Young Scientists. We made some snow globes, snow men, snow angels and all sorts of other things! It's not too late to sign up for the February sessions all about careers.

Young Scientists is a pre-school science program for children with an accompanied adult to explore the scientific community in an informal learning experience. The program provides knowledge about the scientific world with hands-on projects. Classes meet on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays from 9-10:30am.

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Work in the Park: Job Openings in Balboa Park

posted on: 01/13/2012 - 3:35pm by mdougherty

Deputy Director at the Museum of Photographic Arts
MOPA is seeking a “a highly motivated and energetic individual with strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills for the position of Deputy Director.” She or he must have direct experience in finance, human resources, and management.

Volunteer Programs & Training Manager at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
The manager would be responsible for “the development, management and administration of all Fleet Center volunteer and internship programs including but not limited to all aspects of: recruitment, on-boarding, performance appraisals, counseling, coaching, training, supervision, recognition, and general clerical administration for all non-paid staff.”

Tinkering Studio Coordinator at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
The Fleet is seeking a coordinator to "facilitate playful and inventive educational activities using science, art, and technology within our Tinkering Studio. In addition to facilitating educational activities in the Tinkering Studio, the Tinkering Studio Facilitator is also responsible for organizing and maintaining inventory and for ordering parts, tools and materials as...Read The Rest

MOPA to host Human Rights Watch Film Festival

posted on: 01/10/2012 - 4:21pm by mdougherty

San Diego is home to many people who have been displaced by war and discrimination. They have come here from regions of conflict like the Middle East and East Africa to escape violence and begin a new, safe life.

But while some people are able to seek refuge, human rights abuses continue to occur every day.

From January 20-23, 2012, the Human Rights Watch Film Festival will travel to the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) to present documentary films covering a wide range of current human rights issues such as the destructive force of the sex trafficking industry. The festival is designed to inform and empower audiences, as well as to spark discussions about the issues presented.

“Photography and film have historically, and currently, played vital roles in raising awareness about and documenting human rights issues, giving image to those that need to be seen and voice to those that need to be heard,” said Deborah Klochko, MOPA’s executive director, in a media release.

Highlights of this year’s festival include “Love Crimes of Kabul,” a film about women of Afghanistan’s Badum Bagh prison banding together to fight for their freedom, and “Youth Producing Change,” short stories from teen filmmakers from around the world who share their...Read The Rest

Announcing the Winners of our Kid's-Eye View of the Park Contest

posted on: 01/08/2012 - 4:40pm by mdougherty

Thank you to everyone who entered our second annual Kid’s-Eye View of the Park photo contest! Our committee judged the photos according to creativity (50%) and photographic quality (50%). Winners will be contacted to retrieve prizes.

We hope that you enjoy the winning photographs as much as we do.

Winners (ages 12-17)

Birds
First place: Michelle B., 17

Fighting for survival.

Flamingo
Second place: Ryan B., 14

I caught this interesting photo of a flamingo while watching them at the zoo. I think that it is very interesting because of the way all the lines and curves meet. Even the eye of the flamingo is unique!

Night
Third place: Vanessa S., 16

The photograph reminds me of the beautiful nights at Christmas on the Prado. The lights are shining oh so brightly as they glisten on the reflective pool. I love the...Read The Rest