Museums
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Opened in 1935

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is a private, nonprofit institution supported by its members, individual contributors to Donor Circle, corporate and foundation support, federal and state government grants, and admission revenues.

The first museum on the West Coast devoted solely to 20th-century art, the San Francisco Museum of Art opened in 1935 under the direction of Grace L. McCann Morley. After her 23-year tenure, George D. Culler (1958–65) and Gerald Nordland (1966–72) succeeded Morley as museum director. The museum rose to international prominence under the leadership of Henry T. Hopkins (1974–86). "Modern" was added to the Museum's title in 1975 to describe its purview more accurately.

John R. Lane was appointed director of the museum from 1987 to 1997. Subsequently, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art undertook an active special exhibitions program, both organizing and hosting traveling shows.

David A. Ross was director of the museum from June 1998 to August 2001. During his tenure, Ross was instrumental in the acquisition of a number of major works of art. The permanent collection grew to more than 22,000 objects. Neal Benezra succeeded Ross as director in 2002. Nearly 600 works were acquired in 2004.

Among the permanent collection today, patrons will find paintings by Frida Kahlo, Jackson Pollock, Roy Lichtenstein and Jasper Johns. There also is a fine collection of Modernist paintings, including works by Matisse and Dali.

The museum regularly holds high-profile exhibitions that benefit from the light-filled exhibition space.

The café, accessible from the street, provides a comfortable, reasonably priced refuge for drinks and light meals.

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