Page 203 - ART GIANTS issue of World of Art (WOA) Contemporary Art Magazine

720 works from 100 influential artists. With a visionary 100-
year agreement, the museum integrates these masterpieces
alongside its own holdings, fostering ever-evolving
SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF interpretations and artistic dialogues.
MODERN ART (SFMOMA):
A LEGACY OF INNOVATION AND CURATORIAL DEPARTMENTS AT SFMOMA INCLUDE:
CREATIVITY  Architecture + Design: Showcasing groundbreaking works

that redefine the relationship between design and technology.
 Media Arts: Highlighting immersive and time-based media,
Renowned as one of the premier institutions for modern and reflecting the Bay Area’s spirit of innovation.
The new SFMOMA, view from Yerba Buena Gardens. Photo: Jon McNeal © Snøhetta contemporary art in the United States, the San Francisco  Contemporary Art: Spearheading exhibitions, acquisitions,
Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) stands as a vibrant cultural and public programs that shape the contemporary art
beacon in the Bay Area. Housing an exceptional collection of landscape.
over 50,000 works, spanning painting, sculpture, photography, With its profound dedication to creativity and accessibility,
architecture, design, and media arts, SFMOMA showcases the offering free admission to all visitors under 18 - SFMOMA
ever-evolving dialogue between art, society, and technology. remains a trailblazer in the art world, continuously redefining
Architecturally striking, the museum’s LEED Gold-certified what a museum can be SFMOMA a destination for art,
building, designed by internationally acclaimed architects innovation, and community.
Snøhetta and Mario Botta, reflects its commitment to
sustainability and innovation. Beyond a place of artistic Since its founding in 1935, the San Francisco Museum of
preservation, SFMOMA operates as a dynamic space where Modern Art (SFMOMA) has been a cornerstone for modern and
creativity fosters new perspectives, sparking conversations contemporary art, fostering groundbreaking artistic dialogue
that shape the future of art. and showcasing pioneering works from across the globe.
At the heart of its collection is the Department of Painting
A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME ESTABLISHED and Sculpture, a dynamic platform that nurtures both
In 1935 under the visionary leadership of Grace McCann emerging talents and established artists, offering space for
Morley, SFMOMA became the first West Coast institution creative exploration, retrospectives, and thematic exhibitions.
dedicated solely to modern and contemporary art. Originally Spanning works from 1900 to the present, this collection
occupying a modest space in the War Memorial Veterans reflects SFMOMA’s commitment to supporting artistic evolution
Building, the museum expanded in 1970–72, later adopting its and engaging with the ideas shaping contemporary discourse.
current name in 1975 to affirm its mission. One of the first institutions to formally recognize photography
Marking a transformative milestone, SFMOMA relocated as an art form, SFMOMA is home to more than 31,000
in 1995 to a striking purpose-built home in San Francisco’s photographic works, ranging from the earliest days of the
bustling South of Market (SoMa) district, designed by Mario medium to contemporary digital experimentation. The Pritzker
Botta. Further cementing its position as a global art hub, the Center for Photography, a dedicated 15,000-square-foot
museum launched a landmark partnership with the Fisher space, sets a new standard for the exhibition, study, and
Art Foundation in 2009, securing its role as a custodian of appreciation of photography, underscoring the museum’s
one of the world’s most significant collections of postwar and leadership in the field.
contemporary art.
In 2016, after a bold three-year expansion, the museum ENGAGING MINDS AND EXPANDING PERSPECTIVES
unveiled a breathtaking new space designed by Snøhetta, Beyond its galleries, SFMOMA’s Department of Education
a seamless blend of old and new. With 170,000 square feet enriches art lovers of all ages. From K–12 guided tours and
of newly designed indoor and outdoor galleries, SFMOMA university collaborations to family-friendly events like Free
offers unprecedented access to contemporary masterpieces, Family Days and Second Sundays, education at SFMOMA is
ensuring art is more immersive and accessible than ever. about making art an accessible and immersive experience.
Through its Interpretive Media (IM) program, the museum
A HUB FOR VISIONARY COLLECTIONS enhances engagement with digital storytelling, artist
One of SFMOMA’s most celebrated assets is the Doris and interviews, and interactive experiences, allowing visitors to
Donald Fisher Collection, an extraordinary assemblage of connect with art in novel ways.