Santa Barbara County is blessed with a diversity of vital nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the health, well-being, growth, civic leadership and compassion of our community.
Charitable giving and philanthropy are part of our identity, which is why Noozhawk is proud to support the nonprofit community through sponsoring local community organizations and events.
To showcase our support of the event, I Madonnari Street Painting Festival , Noozhawk spoke with Kai Tepper Jahnke, Executive Director, at Children’s Creative Project to learn more about their event.
Children’s Creative Project
Question: What is the name and date of your event?
Answer: I Madonnari Festival. Memorial Day Weekend, May 23 – 25, 2026, Old Mission Santa Barbara.
Q: What is the mission, goal, and/or theme of this occasion?
A: Produced by Children’s Creative Project (CCP), I Madonnari serves as the annual fundraiser for our organization which has been serving students across Santa Barbara County for more than 50 years. Since its start in the early 1970s, CCP has believed in one big idea: creativity belongs in every classroom.
As a non-profit program of the Santa Barbara County Education Office, ccp serves more than 80,000 students each year, making the arts a core part of learning – not an extra. Arts education is a civil right and a requirement for every student in the State of California.
This year is particularly special as we celebrate 40 years of our iconic I Madonnari festival. Every dollar raised goes straight back to arts education and programming for students in classrooms for preschool to grade 12.
I Madonnari is rooted in a 16th century Italian street painting tradtion, where artists transformed public spaces into open-air galleries. Under the direction of Kathy Koury, CCPP brought this tradition from Grazi di Curtatone to Santa Barbara in 1987 – becoming the first festival of its kind in the western hemisphere.
Now under the direction of Kai Tepper Jahnke, CCP welcomes more than 40,000 people to gather each year at the Old mission Plaza. Visitors witness artwork come to life on the pavement celebrating culture, creativity and community.
Q: Have you held this event before?
A: Yes, this is our 40th Anniversary!
Q: Tell us some more details about your celebration?
A: General Festival Information
When is the event?
May 23–25, 2026 (Memorial Day Weekend) 10a – 6p daily
Where is it held?
- Old Mission Santa Barbara located at 2201 Laguna St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
Admission:
- Free and open to the public—no tickets required.
What to Expect at the Festival
- The Mission plaza will feature more than 130 street paintings created by professional and emerging artists.
- Live music performances daily on stage
- 100% of proceeds of the festival directly benefit Santa Barbara schools through arts education programs.
- A marketplace with food vendors, specialty items, and merchandise, Vegan options available
- Beer and wine for guests 21+ (ID required)
Festival Guidelines
- Can I walk on the artwork? No—please stay within designated walking areas to protect the art.
- What happens if it rains? Our event operates rain or shine.
- What to Bring: Sunscreen, Water, Bottled water will be available for purchase, Comfortable shoes, hat/sunglasses.
Weather
- Typical Santa Barbara weather: around 72°F and sunny. Event runs rain or shine.
Parking & Transportation
- Free on-site parking is available at the Mission on a first-come, first-served basis.
- If Mission parking fills up, there is free street parking available in surrounding residential neighborhoods. We also encourage biking, walking or ride-share as economical and environmentally conscious ways to get to the festival!
- Visitors are encouraged to arrive early, especially during peak midday hours.
- Please be respectful of neighborhood driveways and posted parking restrictions.
- Tour buses are not allowed to park along the red curb leading up to the Mission.
- Designated bus parking is available along nearby streets such as Los Olivos.
- ADA drop-off and pick-up is permitted along the red curb near the main entrance.
- The festival will provide additional ADA parking spots in the Mission parking lot, which will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Roads around the Mission remain open, but expect increased traffic and delays during peak times.
- Walking from nearby parking areas is common, so wear comfortable shoes.
Accessibility
- Will there be wheelchair accessibility? The festival is wheelchair accessible, though some street surfaces may be uneven. Nature Track will be on-site to assist with wheelchair access in the grass areas, including access to food and drink vendors and the stage area.
- The festival will provide additional ADA parking spots in the Mission parking lot, which will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Will there be seating? Limited seating may be available in the food/drink and stage area.
Family & Kids Activities
- Kid Squares (2×2 ft.) available for purchase (~$15) in the West Parking Lot.
- Chalk is provided so kids can create their own street art.
- Family-friendly entertainment throughout the event.
Question: How do people get involved with your event? (volunteer, attend, etc.) – If your event includes ticket sales, please note the price and include a link to purchase tickets.
Answer:
Artists & Participation
- Artists must apply in advance (applications for 2026 are closed
- Next year’s square purchases open in February, 2027.
- Only chalk pastels are permitted (no paint, fixatives, or liquid pigments).
- Kid Squares (2×2 ft.) available for purchase (~$15) in the West Parking Lot.
- Chalk is provided so kids can create their own street art.
Attending the Festival
- Do I need tickets? No—free public event.
- Can I take photos? Yes, photography is encouraged (please credit artists when possible). However, reproductions of artwork images for the sale of goods or merchandise are not permitted.
Food & Drink Guidelines:
- You’re welcome to enjoy food and beverages during the festival, with a few important guidelines to help protect the artwork: all food and drinks—whether purchased at the event or brought with you—should be enjoyed on the enclosed grass areas of Old Mission Santa Barbara.
- Do not bring or consume food or drinks on the pavement areas where the street paintings are being created.
- Please use designated spaces to help preserve the artwork and keep walkways clear
Food & Amenities
- Food vendors and beverage stations throughout the festival.
- The festival is a fundraiser for the Children’s Creative Project. Proceeds from all food and beverage sales directly support arts education programs in Santa Barbara schools through CCP.
- Specialty foods, snacks, and artisan items are available for purchase.
- Beer and wine available for purchase for guests 21+.
- Restrooms available (Mission facilities + portable units)
Interacting with Artists
- Visitors are welcome to engage with the artists at I Madonnari Street Painting Festival—it’s part of what makes the experience special but please be mindful of their work: Feel free to ask questions, observe, and appreciate their process.
- Do not interrupt artists while they are actively working, especially during detailed or time-sensitive moments.
- Wait for a natural pause before starting a conversation.
- Be respectful of their space—do not step into or touch the artwork area.
- Keep a safe distance to avoid accidentally disturbing the street paintings.
- Photography is encouraged, but avoid blocking the artist or others’ views.
Are pets allowed?
- No pets allowed – service animals only! Per the Health Department Code § 54.2. Guide, signal or service dogs; right to accompany individuals with a disability and trainers. § 54.2. (a) Every individual with a disability has the right to be accompanied by a guide dog, signal dog, or service dog, especially trained for the purpose, in any of the places specified in Section 54.1 without being required to pay an extra charge or security deposit for the guide dog, signal dog, or service dog. However, the individual shall be liable for any damage done to the premises or facilities by his or her dog.
Q: Is this a fundraising affair? If so, how will the funds raised help your organization?
A: Yes. Every student deserves to have access to quality arts education. Funding arts education now is critical as schools continue to navigate uncertainty regarding changes in federal and state funding. CCP works with every school district in Santa Barbara County and collaborates with diverse programs to support students of all backgrounds.
Arts education transforms student outcomes:
- Students are 5x more likely to stay in school.
- 4x more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree.
- Thousands have found their voice, their belonging and their future.
- CCP also works be contracting professional teaching artists across southern and central California, making significant contributions to the creative economy not only in Santa Barbara County, but across our region and state.
Q: Who is sponsoring your event, and why is their support important?
A: Nora McNeely Hurley and Michael Hurley, the Berryman, Bella Vista, SBCEO, Loreto Plaza and Old Mission Santa Barbara.
Q: Do you work with an Event Planner? If not, who are the key people who make it all happen?
A: This year, we have support from Warner Anderson through his event production company, Peak Agency. Warner has been working closely with CCP’s Executive Director, Kai Tepepr Jahnke serving as this year’s Festival Director. Anderson and Tepper Jahnke are supported by a dynamic team of staff and volunteer leads who have been working tirelessly to produce the festival.
Key production partnerships also include National Charity League and Boys Team Charity who have been working closely with CCP’s staff through a coordinated youth leadership program to provide local teens with hands-on experiences to learn about the importance of arts and culture in our communities and discover what it takes to produce a community festival.
Q: What are you planning as a post-event follow up?
A: Campaign initiative to raise awareness of CCP’s programs and need for increase in funding to support the demand for program services and increase organizational capacity.
To learn more about I Madonnari Street Painting Festival click here.
If you would like to apply for Noozhawk’s 50/50 Match Sponsorship Program for your upcoming nonprofit event please click HERE to view our sponsorship application. The deadline for consideration is 30-45 days prior to the event. You can also contact our sales team at sales@noozhawk.com.