The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) was founded in 1935 as the West Coast's first museum devoted to modern and contemporary art. Throughout its long history, the museum has established itself as a champion of new artists and designers, exhibiting and collecting some of the foremost works of our time.
Today, the SFMOMA operates as a nonprofit organization, led by 353 individuals who believe in the power of art and museums to transform lives. They seek to make art meaningful and accessible to a diverse range of audiences through exhibitions, educational programs, publications, and collections activities.
The main collection of the museum now contains over 26,000 artworks, including paintings, photographs, sculptures, and objects representing modern architecture, design, and media arts. The items are international in scope, with considerable attention given to regional creativity. A series of exhibitions celebrating the SFMOMA's 75th anniversary was held recently, illustrating the stories of collectors, artists, and leaders of culture and community, who founded, built, grew, and maintained the museum.
The SFMOMA now has a film program and co-hosts two annual festivals with the San Francisco Film Society. It has launched new educational programs for families, teens, and educators, in partnership with the Exploratorium, Pixar, and other leading organizations. The museum also features a series of live art performances that are designed to bring artists and viewers together.
The recently opened Rooftop Garden, designed by San Francisco-based Jensen Architects, features a coffee bar. Here, patrons may rest and sip on coffees, teas, and refreshing drinks. Cookies and cakes are served, too, baked right on the premises daily. The hours are 11am to 5pm on Friday through Tuesday and until 8pm on Thursdays.
Another place to relax with a bite to eat is the Caffi Museo. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating along with an inventive menu of Italian-influenced dishes. Items are prepared using fresh, local ingredients and organic produce. A selection of wines by the glass is also available. Open hours are 10am to 6pm daily, except Wednesdays, and until 9pm on Thursdays.
The MuseumStore offers a unique selection of exclusive SFMOMA products, developed in collaboration with Bay Area artists. On sale here are modern and contemporary art books, design objects, furniture, jewelry, children's products, T-shirts, stationery, watches, posters, and much more. The store opens at 10am daily, with retail hours until 6pm on Monday through Wednesday, 9:30pm on Thursday, and 6:30pm on Friday through Sunday.
SFMOMA is closed on Wednesdays and open every other day from 11am to 5:45pm. On Thursdays, operating hours are extended to 8:45pm, and from Memorial Day through Labor Day, doors open at 10am. Admission costs $15 for adults or $9 for students and seniors aged 62 and older. Children under 12 and active duty military personnel are admitted free of charge. On Thursday evenings from 6pm to 8:45pm, the cost of admission is half price, and on the first Tuesday of each month entry is free. The museum is closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is located at 151 Third Street, San Francisco, California 94103. It can be easily reached via public transportation on the BART, Muni Metro and Bus Lines, Golden Gate Transit, SamTrans, and CalTrain. By car from the East Bay, take Interstate 80 West and get off at the Fremont Street Exit. Go left from Fremont onto Howard Street, travel three blocks, and turn right onto Third Street. The museum is on the right. The parking garage is behind the museum at Third and New Montgomery.
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