Art, Politics & Democracy: Stories That Shape Us
November 16 — 28, 2026
“The Art of the Political Ad”
Monday, November 16 | 7 to 8:30 p.m.
SSC 183, Santa Monica College Student Services Center Auditorium
Looking at how campaigns use images, music, emotion, and storytelling to persuade voters.
Panelist Moderator:
- Dr. Eric Oifer, Political Science Professor and Chair, Philosophy and Social Sciences
“What Just Happened? Understanding the 2026 Election”
Tuesday, November 17 | 7 to 8:30 p.m.
SSC 183, Santa Monica College Student Services Center Auditorium
A post-election discussion.
Panelist Moderator:
- Professor Shari Davis, Co-Director of the SMC Public Policy Institute
Panelist:
- Dan Schnur, Professor at University of California – Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies, Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Public Policy, and the USC Annenberg School of Communications
“Art Against Authoritarianism: La Bola Negra, Lorca, and the Politics of Memory”
Wednesday, November 18 | 7 to 8:30 p.m.
SSC 183, Santa Monica College Student Services Center Auditorium
Exploring art, queer history, political repression, and resistance through the new film La Bola Negra.
Panelist Moderator:
- Dr. Amber Katherine, Professor of Philosophy
Panelist:
- Sebastian Carrasco & Alci Rengifo, co-hosts of “Breaking the 180” film podcast
- Dr. James Thing, Sociology Professor
- Dr. Richard Tahvildaran Jesswein, Co-Director of the SMC Public Policy Institute
Westside Ballet of Santa Monica Presents “The Nutcracker”
November 27 – December 6
The Broad Stage
Featuring the Santa Monica College Community Nutcracker Orchestra.
Performances at The Broad Stage. For tickets visit: westsideballet.com/nuttix
In addition, as part of the SMC PPI Fall Arts & Cultural Affairs Forum program-ming, all SMMUSD 5th grade students will have a field trip to the Broad Stage for a special educational version of The Nutcracker.