The Bakersfield Art Association, a non profit organization founded in 1944, is dedicated to meeting the needs of local artists and art lovers.  It sponsors a variety of activities, including monthly educational programs nine times a year, classes, workshops, exhibits and shows in the gallery, at the symphony and local businesses.  The association offers members the opportunity to interact, to learn, share the excitement of art and the creative process with other artists and the public.  

Funds raised by the association  are distributed  as scholarships to elemetary, high schools and college art students on an annual basis. The group is also involved in other comunity service projects, such as purchasing art instruction videos for the Kern Library System.  

As part of the educational goals, one or two day workshops are available.  Art classes are taught by a variety of teachers in the classroom located at the rear of the gallery.

There are weekly  opportunities  for members to paint together in a viaiety of venues, including a Wednesday morning plein air painting group which travels to different locations.