Timken Museum of Art

The Putnam Foundation (the Foundation) is a non-profit organization whose primary activity is the education of the public in fine arts through the operation of the Timken Museum of Art (the Museum) located in Balboa Park in San Diego, California, and is the only fine art museum in San Diego that does not charge admission. Accessibility, whether through our free-admission policy or through outreach to underserved groups in the community is at the heart of the Timken.

Educational Programs:The museums educational programs, broad and varied, are offered throughout the year and are free of charge. The programs, both in the museum and out in the community include school residencies, classes at Juvenile Hall, and Balboa Naval Medical Center, school tours, teacher trainings, family art making, docent tours, art programs in senior residence and Outreach Espaol our bi-national program which provides transportation to the museum and tours in Spanish for students in Baja CA. In addition our educational programs also include exhibitions, artist in residency and musical performances. Our exhibitions examine, in depth, a specific painting or body of work in the museums collection, by placing the work or works into the broader context of the art and culture of its time. Our intent is to expand and deepen our viewers understanding of art and specifically the pieces in our collection. Exhibitions are an essential part of the Timkens educational programs and we believe our free admission mandate promotes art awareness and appreciation by making our collection accessible to any and all that visit.