activities · 11
what they do
direct service · 10
- Deliver family and community education programsHosts in-person family art workshops on scheduled Sundays, produces and distributes free online art projects, videos, and guides for families and young learners, and organizes community engagement events that collectively benefit over 150,000 people annually.
- Deliver family and youth education programsHosts in-person family art workshops on scheduled Sundays and produces free online art projects, videos, and educational guides for families and young learners, supporting engagement with modern art for younger audiences.
- Engage audiences through digital and email outreach Member Newsletter & Magazine DistributionDistributes informational emails to subscribers and provides digital resources including online art projects and artwork guides to extend access beyond physical visits.
- Fund education and community engagement initiatives Themed Fundraising Events with Auctions & RafflesRaises over $2.5 million annually to support education programs, family workshops, and community events that serve more than 150,000 people each year.
- Host rotating and permanent art exhibitions Art Collection Stewardship & ExhibitionOrganizes and presents rotating exhibitions featuring major artists such as KAWS, Kara Walker, and Ruth Asawa, alongside ongoing displays of the permanent collection and significant historical works like Matisse's Femme au chapeau. Includes large-scale installations by artists such as Olafur Eliasson and Alexander Calder, with dedicated galleries for American Pop, minimalism, and post-1960 German art.
- Host rotating and permanent art exhibitions Art Collection Stewardship & ExhibitionOrganizes and presents rotating special exhibitions and ongoing displays from its permanent collection, including major retrospectives (e.g., KAWS, Ruth Asawa), historical deep dives (e.g., Matisse's Femme au chapeau), and large-scale installations by artists such as Kara Walker, Olafur Eliasson, and Alexander Calder. The museum features nearly 250 works from the Fisher Collection across multiple thematic galleries and maintains free, ongoing public exhibitions of works by Julie Mehretu, Barbara Stauffacher Solomon, and others.
- Operate museum facilities and manage visitor access Art Collection Stewardship & ExhibitionManages regular museum operations with established hours (Friday–Tuesday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Thursday 12–8 p.m., closed Wednesdays), ticketing systems for exhibitions, and hosts member events such as parties in the Haas Atrium.
- Operate museum facilities and public eventsManages museum operations including regular public hours (Friday–Tuesday and Thursday evenings), hosts member events such as parties in the Haas Atrium, and maintains expanded gallery space to accommodate visitors and collections following a major building expansion.
- Provide free public access and admission programs Admission Access & Membership ProgramsOffers free admission to all visitors aged 18 and younger, hosts free community admission days (e.g., in 2019), and maintains free ongoing exhibitions accessible to the public, including outdoor and atrium installations. Free access is extended to members and embedded in regular programming.
- Provide free public access and community admission programs Admission Access & Membership ProgramsOffers free admission to all visitors aged 18 and younger, hosts free community admission days, and maintains free ongoing exhibitions accessible to the public, including major installations and site-specific works at key entrances and public spaces.
capacity building · 1
- Expand and maintain physical gallery infrastructure Artist Studio & Gallery Space ProvisionUndertook a major building expansion that nearly tripled gallery space, enabling increased capacity for visitors and expanded display of the art collection, including the Doris and Donald Fisher Collection.
strategies · 24
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Accessible and reflective art presentation accessible_art_presentationPresents modern and contemporary art in ways that emphasize accessibility and encourage personal reflection, fostering deeper individual connections to artworks regardless of prior art knowledge.
- Accessible presentation of modern and contemporary art to foster personal connection accessible_art_presentationEmphasizes accessibility in the presentation of modern and contemporary art to encourage personal reflection and meaningful visitor engagement, lowering perceived barriers to art interpretation.
- Advance ticket reservation to ensure equitable and smooth visitor access advance_ticket_reservationEncourages visitors to reserve tickets in advance to manage access, reduce barriers to entry, and ensure a more predictable and seamless museum experience for all guests.
- Advance ticketing for visitor experience management advance_ticket_reservationEncourages advance ticket reservations to ensure access and a smoother museum experience, helping manage visitor flow and enhance satisfaction.
- Donor-subsidized free access for youth to promote equitable engagement donor-subsidized free accessOffers free admission to youth through a funding model supported by individual and foundation donors, removing financial barriers and promoting early, equitable engagement with art.
- Donor-subsidized youth access donor-subsidized free accessExpands access to youth by offering free admission through a funding model supported by named individual and foundation donors, ensuring equitable access for younger audiences.
- Email outreach for audience communication email_outreachUses email communication to maintain public awareness and engagement by regularly sharing updates about exhibitions, events, and museum activities.
- Exclusive, landmark exhibitions as cultural destination exclusive_landmark_exhibitionsPresents exclusive, in-depth exhibitions centered on iconic artworks and pivotal moments in modern art, positioning SFMOMA as the sole venue for comprehensive exploration and drawing national attention.
- Exclusive, landmark exhibitions to establish institutional authority in modern art exclusive_landmark_exhibitionsPresents exclusive, in-depth exhibitions centered on iconic artworks and pivotal moments in modern art, positioning SFMOMA as the definitive venue for scholarly and public exploration of these works.
- Family-centered digital access family-centered access and engagementSupports family engagement by providing a centralized digital hub for visit planning and educational resources, lowering barriers to access and enhancing the museum experience for younger audiences.
- Family-centered digital access to support inclusive museum visits family-centered access and engagementProvides a centralized digital hub for families to access visit planning resources and educational materials, lowering logistical barriers and supporting inclusive, educational engagement with the museum.
- Immersive and multisensory exhibition experiences to enhance artistic engagement immersive_art_historical_narrative, multisensory_art_experienceDesigns immersive, multisensory, and interdisciplinary art environments that integrate visual, spatial, and performative elements to deepen visitor engagement and create transformative experiences with art.
- Immersive public and fundraising experiences immersive_fundraising_eventDesigns large-scale, immersive events and exhibitions—both for fundraising and public engagement—to create memorable, community-building experiences that deepen public connection to art.
- Monographic artist-focused galleries monographic_gallery_approachUses a series of monographic galleries to highlight individual artists, emphasizing their unique mediums, styles, and approaches to foster deeper understanding of artistic development and diversity.
- Monographic galleries to highlight artistic diversity and innovation monographic_gallery_approachUses a series of monographic galleries to focus on individual artists, showcasing their unique mediums, styles, and approaches as a way to emphasize artistic innovation and depth.
- Multisensory, interdisciplinary art environments multisensory_art_experienceCreates multisensory, interdisciplinary art experiences that integrate visual, spatial, and performative elements to enhance visitor engagement and broaden modes of artistic interpretation.
- Narrative-driven storytelling to deepen visitor engagement with art narrative_engagementEmploys a multi-pronged storytelling approach that uses relatable and resonant narratives about artists and artworks to create emotional and intellectual connections with visitors.
- Narrative-driven visitor engagement narrative_engagementEngages visitors through a multi-pronged storytelling approach that uses relatable and resonant narratives about artists and artworks to deepen understanding and emotional connection.
- Pop culture-inspired engagement pop_culture_engagementUses pop culture-inspired art exhibitions as a mechanism to attract and engage broader, more diverse audiences by connecting contemporary art with widely recognized cultural references.
- Pop culture-inspired engagement to attract diverse audiences pop_culture_engagementUses pop culture-inspired art exhibitions as a mechanism to draw in broader and more diverse audiences by connecting contemporary art with widely recognized cultural touchstones.
- Public and large-scale art experiences to expand community reach public_art_engagement, immersive_fundraising_eventHosts large-scale public art installations and immersive fundraising events in accessible outdoor or high-impact settings to engage wider audiences and strengthen community connections with contemporary art.
- Public art in accessible outdoor settings public_art_engagementHosts large-scale public art installations in outdoor, accessible locations to engage broader audiences with contemporary art beyond the museum walls.
- Tiered and annual membership access model tiered_membership_modelUses a tiered and annual membership structure to increase access to exhibitions and events, offering ongoing engagement opportunities that scale with supporter investment.
- Tiered and annual membership models to increase access and sustained engagement tiered_membership_model, annual_membership_accessCombines tiered membership benefits with an annual membership structure to broaden access to exhibitions and events, incentivizing ongoing engagement through differentiated levels of access and support.
named programs · 6
what they call their work
1900 to Now: SFMOMA's Collection
Ongoing exhibition showcasing highlights from SFMOMA’s permanent collection spanning over a century of modern and contemporary art
Art Bash
Annual fundraising event featuring immersive art experiences, live auction, and performances to support education and community programs
KAWS: FAMILY
Exhibition exploring KAWS’ vibrant, pop culture-inspired universe
Matisse's Femme au chapeau: A Modern Scandal
Exhibition tracing the radical impact of Matisse’s 1905 painting and its influence across generations of artists
Reimagined: The Fisher Collection at 10
A fully reconceived presentation of the Doris and Donald Fisher Collection featuring nearly 250 works by 35 artists, emphasizing accessibility and personal connection
SECA Art Award
Biennial award and exhibition program recognizing emerging artists from the Bay Area, such as Rupy C. Tut, Angela Hennessy, and Rose D'Amato
relationships · 21
who they work with
- Arthur Rock and Toni Rembe Rock Partner — Presenting supporters of free admission for visitors 18 and younger.
- Bank of America Funder — Presenting supporter of the exhibition Matisse’s Femme au chapeau: A Modern Scandal.
- Crankstart Foundation Free Access Education Endowed Fund Partner — Major supporter of free admission for visitors 18 and younger.
- Dana and Bob Emery Funder — Presenting supporter of the exhibition Matisse’s Femme au chapeau: A Modern Scandal.
- Deloitte Funder — Significant supporter of the exhibition Matisse’s Femme au chapeau: A Modern Scandal.
- Diana Nelson and John Atwater Funder — Lead supporter of the exhibition Matisse’s Femme au chapeau: A Modern Scandal.
- Doris and Donald Fisher Partner — Presenting the Fisher Collection through an unprecedented partnership with SFMOMA
- Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Partner — Named atrium sponsor hosting member events
- Franklin and Catherine Johnson Partner — Meaningful supporters of free admission for visitors 18 and younger.
- Furthermore: a program of the J. M. Kaplan Fund Funder — Supports the exhibition catalogue for Matisse’s Femme au chapeau: A Modern Scandal.
- Helen and Charles Schwab Partner — Provided a gift enabling the acquisition of artwork by Yayoi Kusama
- Irwin and Concepción Federman Partner — Major supporters of free admission for visitors 18 and younger.
- Maryellie and Rupert Johnson Partner — Major supporters of free admission for visitors 18 and younger.
- Mimi and Peter Haas Fund Funder — Lead supporter of the exhibition Matisse’s Femme au chapeau: A Modern Scandal.
- Patricia W. Fitzpatrick Partner — Meaningful supporter of free admission for visitors 18 and younger.
- Pritzker Fund for Free Admission for Visitors 18 and Under Partner — Major supporter of free admission for visitors 18 and younger.
- RM Partner — Collaborates with RM on a curated exhibition titled RM x SFMOMA, exploring the artistic influences of a generational voice.
- Sotheby's Partner — Official auction partner for Art Bash 2026, providing auction services led by Sotheby's auctioneer Phyllis Kao.
- Stern Grove Festival Partner — Community partner presenting select musical performances at Art Bash 2026.
- The Strandberg Family Partner — Lead supporter of free admission for visitors 18 and younger.
- Yes SF Funder — Significant supporter of the exhibition Matisse’s Femme au chapeau: A Modern Scandal.