Member FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Visitors look upward
Photo: Orange Photography

This is an exciting time of unprecedented growth for the museum, and as a member you are an essential part of our community. Below are a few frequently asked questions about our exhibitions and programs as we begin our transformation.

About Your Membership as SFMOMA Prepares for Expansion

 

Additional Questions About Your Membership

 

About Your Membership as SFMOMA Prepares for Expansion

How do I become a Charter member?

As a current member, becoming a Charter member is as simple as renewing! For a limited time, existing members can enjoy additional membership benefits by renewing at the Charter level for three-years at 30% off. Visit My Account for more Charter details and to sign up today, or call 415.357.4135 (Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

 

Will my membership be impacted between now and June 2, 2013, when SFMOMA begins construction on its expansion project?

No. Your membership benefits will continue to give you access to a fantastic array of exhibitions and public programs between now and June 2013, as well as offering unprecedented new opportunities and access through the entire construction period as we transform ourselves for the future. Your ongoing support as an SFMOMA member will enable us to continue our mission of promoting art in our community.

 

When SFMOMA begins construction in 2013 for its expansion project, how will this impact my membership?

To complete the construction that is part of the museum's transformation, it will be necessary to move our exhibitions and programs completely off site for a period of time. After June 2, 2013, our building will be temporarily closed to the public until it reopens in early 2016. However, nothing will stop us from presenting great art. We are developing dynamic exhibitions and programs to unfold throughout the region in collaboration with a distinguished list of community partners. SFMOMA members are the heart of the museum, and we are committed to making your membership experience rewarding and inspiring. Throughout the period of construction, your membership will continue to deliver great value.

 

What kinds of exhibitions and programs will the museum offer during the construction period?

SFMOMA will present collaborative and traveling museum exhibitions, site-specific installations, neighborhood festivals across the city, and new education initiatives. We'll be using this period to experiment with new ideas, continue engaging in dialogue with a range of cultural partners, and create fresh ways to experience the museum's collection. Here are just a few highlights of what’s to come (read the full announcement for more detail).

  • Museum Partnerships Around the Bay
    SFMOMA will co-present major exhibitions at partner museums featuring works drawn either entirely or in part from SFMOMA's collections, offering new contexts for viewing and understanding the treasured works in our care. Current plans include an exhibition at the Contemporary Jewish Museum considering connections between art and spirituality; a show at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts that takes SFMOMA's growing collection of South African photography as a starting point; and an exhibition at the Asian Art Museum that taps the collections of both SFMOMA and the Asian to spark intriguing dialogues about beauty in Asian and Western art. Our list of museum partners is still growing; along with the aforementioned institutions, it currently includes the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University, Exploratorium, Museum of African Diaspora, Oakland Museum of California, and UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, among others, with additional details to be announced later this year.
     
  • Outdoor Commissions and Site-Specific Installations
    SFMOMA will create temporary interventions in the urban fabric of the Bay Area, including a multi-location exhibition of Doug Aitken's Empire trilogy (2008-2011), which will present all three video installations simultaneously for the first time; and a commissioned outdoor pavilion showcasing work by Los Angeles-based architect Greg Lynn, which will serve as a venue for museum programming along San Francisco's waterfront during the America's Cup races in 2013.
     
  • Photography Exhibitions Around the State
    SFMOMA is known as a leader in presenting and collecting photography, and we're planning to bring exhibitions of work from our renowned collection to communities throughout California. One traveling survey will trace the recent history of photography in Japan, from the avant-garde tradition that emerged in the 1960s and 70s to the diverse photographic practice of today. The popular exhibition Photography in Mexico will also go on view at partner venues.
     
  • Public Programs: Thinking Big, Going Local
    During our off-site period, we'll bring our innovative education and public programs outside museum walls and directly into Bay Area communities, expanding SFMOMA's role as cultural producer and catalyst for creativity. Working in collaboration with venues across the city, the museum will present festival-style programs that will bring curator talks, live performances, commissions, and multimedia installations to a variety of spaces. A series of activities with a focus on families and schools will bring together local community organizations with artists and curators to create projects with and for local neighborhoods.

 

What benefits will the museum offer to members during the off-site period?

Your SFMOMA membership will be your passport to collaborative exhibitions at our partner museums, site-specific installations, and other programs listed above. During the run of each exhibition, you will enjoy a rich array of members-only benefits. You will also receive free or reduced admission, advance access, and exclusive viewing times for a range of exciting programs. We are in the final stages of confirming our cultural partnerships and will be announcing the full list of partner museums and details about new opportunities and access.

 

Should I renew my membership in 2012?

Yes! Your membership benefits will continue to give you access to a fantastic array of exhibitions and public programs between now and June 2013, as well as offer unprecedented new opportunities and access through the entire construction period as we transform ourselves for the future. Your ongoing support as an SFMOMA member will enable us to continue our mission of promoting art in our community.

 

How can I stay up-to-date on SFMOMA's expansion?

You can stay up-to-date on our latest expansion news, member events, and more by signing up for SFMOMA e.news. Also be sure to visit the expansion pages to learn more. We will be updating this page regularly in the coming months, so please continue checking back for the most current information. Have questions? Call us at 415.357.4135.

 

Additional Questions About Your Membership

How do I join or renew my membership?

There are three ways to join or renew your membership:

  • Online for fastest service and to help the museum save paper and resources
  • By phone at 415.357.4135, Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • In person at the membership desk in the museum's Haas Atrium

Please allow up to six weeks for your membership cards to be processed and delivered. You can take advantage of your membership benefits right away by presenting proof of payment and a photo ID at the membership desk.

 

What are the benefits of membership?

Basic membership benefits include unlimited free admission for you and a guest; express entry at the museum; invitations to exclusive member events; free subscription to our exhibition and program guide; free admission to selected film screenings and lectures; and 10 percent off at the MuseumStore. Additional benefits are available at higher membership levels.

 

Can I bring a guest?

Members at all levels may bring one guest to the museum free of charge on each visit during regular hours. Membership at the Dual level and higher extends complimentary admission to up to four people. To receive complimentary admission, guests must be accompanied by a current member.

 

How many guests can I bring to member events?

Please check your invitation for guest privilege details.

 

How can I keep up with museum exhibitions, programs, and events?

Our exhibition and program guide covers everything you need to know about what's going on at the museum, and it arrives in your mailbox every other month. For more up-to-the-moment news and event information, sign up for SFMOMA e.news or access our online calendar of events.

 

Can I give a membership gift through my charitable trust, foundation, or donor-advised fund?

Yes, but giving through a charitable trust, foundation, or donor-advised fund carries certain restrictions. Please contact the Membership Department at membership@sfmoma.org or 415.357.4135 for more information.

 

What is reciprocal membership?

Members at the Supporting level and higher enjoy reciprocal benefits at selected museums in North America — including free admission, admission to member previews, and discounts on purchases made at participating museums' stores. Please note that reciprocal privileges may be restricted for specially ticketed exhibitions.

Review the list of participating museums.

 

How do I use my guest passes?

Members at the Contributing level and higher receive guest passes each year. Each guest pass may be used for a one-time free admission during regular museum hours, whether or not the member is present. Guest passes do not have an expiration date. Guest passes can be used for complimentary admission to specially ticketed exhibitions. However, they cannot be used for admission to members-only previews and do not entitle the user to a MuseumStore discount or other membership privileges.

 

Can family members or friends use my membership card?

Membership cards are not transferable; only the cardholder is entitled to use the card. The cardholder must be present in order for guests to receive free admission.

 

What should I do if I lose my membership card?

Please visit the membership desk in the museum’s Haas Atrium or email the Membership Department at membership@sfmoma.org to request a replacement card. You can continue to take advantage of your membership benefits by presenting a photo ID at the membership desk.

 

What is the easiest way to update my contact information or check my membership status?

Now it’s easier than ever to manage your SFMOMA membership. By creating an online account, you can check your membership level and expiration date and update your contact information with the museum.

For two-card memberships, both members can create an online account and sign up for SFMOMA e.news at their own email address. Please note that membership mailings will be sent to only one postal address. Any address updates made by either member will change the mailing address on the membership.

 

Why should I create an SFMOMA online account?

Creating an online account allows you to sign up for SFMOMA e.news, check your membership level and expiration date, update your contact information, and enjoy fast and easy processing of your membership transactions. Managing your membership online also helps the museum save paper and resources. If you wish to delete your SFMOMA online account, please email myaccount@sfmoma.org.

Please note: your SFMOMA online account is separate from your Museumtix account.

 

How do I sign up for e.news?

If you have already created an online account, log in, select "Sign me up for e.news," and check the SFMOMA e.news box to activate your e.news subscription.

 

Why did membership prices change?

Membership prices changed on May 21, 2011. Prices at the Individual, Dual, Senior Individual, and Senior Dual levels each increased by $10; prices at higher membership levels did not change.

This modest rate increase helps offset the rising costs of member benefits and services and ensures that the generous support of our members provides the greatest possible funding for the museum's exhibition, conservation, and education programs. Our last membership price change was in May 2009.