Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco

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Inside the striking building is a modern art collection that boasts excellent touring exhibits, films and photography. The permanent collection includes works by Pollack, Warhol, Matisse, Picasso and O'Keeffe, as well as artists with a connection to the Bay Area, such as Diebenkorn and Thiebaud. The MOMA is one of the Landmarks in the South of Market Area.

The renowned SF Museum of Modern Art was the first on the West Coast devoted solely to twentieth-century art. Collections devoted to Media Arts and Architecture are most notable, and the Department of Photography includes works by Stieglitz and Ansel Adams as well as works of the 1920s German avant-garde and the European Surrealists of the 1930s

Open Hours: Mon-Tue, Fri-Sun 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Thu 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.

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The Postmodern architecture (1995) of Mario Botta is an outstanding museum building, not only in function, but in art. There is a lot of natural light, and numerous sky bridges with lot of light and window space that provide views of the city. The staircases are often open for views of other floors and the sky bridges above.

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The 5th floor of SFMOMA has two sculpture plazas that provide great views of surrounding classic high rise buildings. The Cafe provides good coffee and decent desserts and small sandwiches made right in the museum kitchen.

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SFMOMA has quite a good collection of Modern art by Diego Rivera and others from the earlier periods of Modern Art, but like the De Young Museum over in Golden Gate Park, it's most notable collection are from California Pop artists, like Robert Arneson, and others in the Funk Art genre.

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Actually, the title is a teaser of sorts. The Stein family was the most ardent supporters of Modern Art from the beginning, and they were San Franciscans who transplanted themselves to Paris. But unfortunately, their collection didn't become donated solely to SFMOMA.

In this particular visit to SFMOMA (San Francisco Museum of Modern Art), we had a chance to see how the Steins (Michael & Sarah, Leo, and Gertrude) went about the business of buying and promoting Matisse, Picasso, and others whom they invited to their home during the early 1900's. The collection of work we saw was actually a special exhibit though, as the Stein collection largely dispersed into the ownership of various museum and private collections after the deaths of the family members. But, this really did show the power of SFMOMA because the collection was gathered and framed by SFMOMA, and will later become a special exhibit in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Nevertheless, SFMOMA does have a few pieces in its permanent collection too...

I wasn't able to take photos of this exhibit, so all I have are a few ordinary Matisse and Picassos from the permanent collection to tease you...

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San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is a must see in SF although it’s not as good as the one in NY. The building was interesting though, inside out.

During our visit (October 2009) there was a special exhibition of Richard Avedon with b&w photos (faces of unknown people but also some famous ones like Warhol). There was also a section dedicated to the American artist Robert Rauschenberg that has a collection with many things covering the a variety from oil paintings to photographs, newspaper clippings or paint drips jostling with one another and jockeying for position on one vibrant canvas.

By the way all the items and paintings are well supported with signs that have all the basic info. There are 5 floors with different items like paintings, photos, videos, sculptures etc

I liked the painting The Flower Carrier made in 1935 by the Mexican painter Diego Rivera (1886-1957). Rivera’s favorite theme is agricultural workers with underlying Marxist convictions and a sympathetic respect for manual labor and always present workers with dignity and in harmony with each other and with the natural world.

We didn’t spend much time on the gift/book store but I noticed many books.

The museum is open Thursday to Tuesday (closed on Wednesday) 11.00-17.45 (20.45 on Thursdays).
The entrance fee is $15 or free with the CityPass. It is also free the first Tuesday of each month and halfprice on Thursday evenings(18.00-20.45)

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Afficionados of modern art will not want to miss the collections here which have been amassed since the museum was established in 1935. The current museum facility, designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta was opened in 1995. Many 20th century notables have works here including Matisse, Kahlo, O'Keefe, Pollack, Johns, and Warhol. There is also a large musuem shop with a great collection of books on all aspects of 20th and 21st century art, architecture, and style.

I'm not a big lover of modern art but do enjoy the architecture and the collection of Matisse works. On our last visit they also have a wonderful retrospective of Frida Kahlo's career which was fascinating.

The staff from the SF MoMa are very unfriendly and mean, especially if you're a student getting a discounted ticket. The information desk is not very helpful. The receptionist was very lazy, and seemed like she did not want to do her job at all, as if it was an inconvenience for her to help customers. The security people are also gawking at your every move, and will try to find the least possible reason to yell at you and to embarrass you in front of everyone, just from taking a flash-free picture. The camera I used to take a picture was not even a real camera, it was a tiny cell phone. I was only admiring a painting that inspired me. I wanted to have a glimpse of it, in case it influences me in my own artistic development (as an aspiring painter myself). It seemed funny to me, how so many people were carrying actual cameras, with zooming lenses, and they were ignored by the security. And I was holding a mere, tiny cell phone, to take a very tiny picture, and I was purposely embarrassed by the security lady. It felt as if discrimination towards students is an acceptable practice in this museum. I wish I had never gone there, and that I had not thought of actually exposing myself to this museum for potential inspiration for my own art practice. I regret going to this place. I should not have to pay only to get yelled at, and to be embarrassed in front of everyone. One helpful tip, do not even make eye contact with the security because they will glare at you for even being there.

Spent more time taking photos of it from outside and basking in the general architecture of the place than anything else. To me, it was worth it. I always loved museums but kind of gave up on going in to actually see the art a few years back. This Museum boasts an impressive collection of Warhol, among others. I didn't feel like doing that at all.
I bought a few choice pieces in the Museum Store, lots of interesting and fun objects there.

The Yerba Buena Center for the Arts is close by and full of multicultural art, plus it's got a great rooftop garden. I spent more time relaxing there and it's a great memory.

Art lovers should not miss San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art. It features rotating exhibits along with their permanent collection. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. daily. Closed on Wednesday. Thursday 11 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. It is open at 10 a.m. during the summer. Gallery admission fee Adults $12.50, Seniors $8, Students $7, Half price Thursday from 6-9 p.m., Free admission on first Tuesday each month.