The Santa Monica College Public Policy Institute will present its 2026 Fall Arts and Cultural Affairs Forum from Nov. 16 to Dec. 6. The forum features three panel discussions and performances of “The Nutcracker.”
This year’s theme is “Art, Politics & Democracy: Stories That Shape Us.” It focuses on how the arts create a context for elections and democracy and shape opinions about important historical and cultural trends.
Except for “The Nutcracker,” events will be held on the SMC Main Campus, 1900 Pico Blvd. Most are free and open to the public, and all are subject to change without notice.
The forum opens at 7 p.m. Nov. 16 with “The Art of the Political Ad,” a panel on how campaigns use images, music, emotion and storytelling to persuade voters. Eric Oifer, a political science professor and chair of the SMC Philosophy and Social Sciences Department, will moderate.
At 7 p.m. Nov. 17, “What Just Happened? Understanding the 2026 Election” will feature professor Shari Davis, co-director of the institute. Guest speaker Dan Schnur, a professor, will also take part. Schnur is affiliated with the University of California, Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, Pepperdine University Graduate School of Public Policy and USC Annenberg School of Communications.
At 7 p.m. Nov. 18, “Art Against Authoritarianism: ‘La Bola Negra,’ Lorca, and the Politics of Memory” will explore art, queer history, political repression and resistance. The panel will focus on how these themes are depicted in the new film “La Bola Negra.” SMC philosophy professor Amber Katherine will moderate.
Panelists include Sebastian Carrasco and Alci Rengifo, co-hosts of the “Breaking the 180” film podcast. They will be joined by SMC sociology professor James Thing and institute co-director Richard Tahvildaran Jesswein.
All three panels are free and will be held in the Student Services Center Auditorium, SSC 183.
From Nov. 27 to Dec. 6, Westside Ballet of Santa Monica will present “The Nutcracker” with the Santa Monica College Community Nutcracker Orchestra. Performances will be at The Eli & Edythe Broad Stage at the SMC Performing Arts Center, 1310 11th St. Performance times and tickets are available at westsideballet.com/nuttix.
Guests who need a disability accommodation should email dsps@smc.edu or call 310-434-4173 at least five business days in advance.
The institute provides nonpartisan community programs exploring key economic, social and political issues. Co-sponsors include the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, the city of Santa Monica and Associated Students of Santa Monica College.
More information is available at smc.edu/ppi or by calling 310-434-3541.
Edited by SMDP Staff