At a groundbreaking event on May 29, 2013, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) celebrated with some 300 supporters to kick off the museum’s final four celebratory days before construction begins on its new 225,000-square-foot Snøhetta-designed expansion.
Held at the construction site behind the museum, the event officially marked SFMOMA’s coming transformation, which, when its building reopens in 2016, will provide greater art experiences for visitors and support SFMOMA’s increasing role in city life and the international art community.
SFMOMA Director Neal Benezra, Board Chair Charles R. Schwab, and Board President Robert J. Fisher were joined by San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee, District 6 Supervisor Jane Kim, and Snøhetta principal Craig Dykers in marking this historic moment for the institution.
Earlier this month, the museum announced that it has raised its capital campaign goal to $610 million from $555 million, an increase of 10 percent. With 89 percent of the capital campaign goal raised three years ahead of the opening of SFMOMA’s expanded home, and with 100 percent of the museum’s Board of Trustees supporting the campaign, the museum believes that it can meet this new, higher goal. The additional campaign funds will enable SFMOMA to pursue a variety of additional initiatives, including the creation of a $10 million endowed fund that will enable SFMOMA to offer free admission to all visitors ages 18 and under.
The groundbreaking also launched a free four-day public celebration (May 30 through June 2) leading up to SFMOMA’s launch out of its building and into the community. From June 3 until the museum’s newly expanded home opens in early 2016, SFMOMA will be “on the go,” presenting new art experiences throughout the Bay Area and beyond. www.sfmoma.org
Confetti erupts as SFMOMA leaders, Mayor Edwin M. Lee, District 6 Supervisor Jane Kim, and first-graders from South of Market’s Bessie Carmichael Elementary kick off the museum’s expansion construction; photo by Drew Altizer