Welcoming, Surprising, Illuminating, For Our Time, Participatory, Boundaryless, and Open.
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) stands as a pioneering institution in the heart of the Bay Area, initially opening in 1935 as the first West Coast museum devoted exclusively to 20th-century art . Today, SFMOMA boasts a collection of over 33,000 works, spanning disciplines from painting and sculpture to design, media arts, architecture, and photography . Its expansive gallery space—redefined by a major Snøhetta-led expansion in 2016, which nearly tripled exhibition areas and added generous public zones—now encompasses 170,000 square feet of indoor display and 45,000 square feet of free-access public space . Designed with sustainability in mind, the LEED Gold-certified museum—initially established in a Mario Botta-designed structure in 1995—offers a seamlessly integrated environment for contemplation, engagement, and discovery . Drawing on its profound institutional legacy and bold architectural innovation, SFMOMA connects art to contemporary life while inviting nearly 1.1 million visitors annually to explore the evolving language of modern artistic expression
History
SFMOMA was founded in 1935 under the directorship of Grace L. McCann Morley in San Francisco’s Veterans Building, with an initial collection established largely through the generous donations of Albert M. Bender . Early on, the museum led on progressive programming—hosting the first architecture exhibition on the West Coast, creating a photography collection in 1936, and launching modern film and television series in the 1940s . It was renamed SFMOMA in 1975 to reflect its modernist focus . After decades operating in Civic Center, the museum relocated in 1995 to a striking building in the SoMa district designed by Mario Botta . In 2009, the museum received the transformative Fisher Collection—approximately 1,100 contemporary works on a 100-year loan—necessitating a major expansion . The expanded, Snøhetta-designed nine-floor facility reopened in 2016, delivering a monumental reimagining of SFMOMA’s spatial capacity with state-of-the-art exhibition spaces, public outreach features, and architectural enhancements that reflect the Bay Area’s topography and spirit . Through its many evolutions, SFMOMA has consistently embraced innovation, emerging as one of the world’s leading institutions for modern and contemporary art.
Mission
SFMOMA’s mission underscores the belief that “the art of our time is vital”, and that art can open minds and help build a better world—a core value anchored in the museum’s commitment to assembling peerless collections, producing exhilarating exhibitions, and fostering inclusive public programs . It serves as a cultural and educational center where diverse voices converge through art forms ranging from iconic paintings to dynamic media installations and architectural design. Through its expansive, accessible campus, SFMOMA creates immersive experiences that resonate locally and globally, blending world-class collections with participatory environments meant to inspire creativity and broaden perspectives . The museum continues to lead dialogues at the intersection of art, education, and community, positioning itself not only as a repository of modern and contemporary works, but as an evolving laboratory for public engagement, discovery, and transformation.
