The Collections Study Center holds the majority of the museum’s photographs, prints, and other works on paper.
Photo: Charles Villyard
Collections Study Center FAQ
What is in the Collections Study Center?
What are your hours?
We are open by appointment, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–noon and 1–4 p.m. To schedule an appointment to visit the Collections Study Center, please email studycenterappointments@sfmoma.org and we will strive to accommodate appointments within 2 weeks of your request.
Who can visit the Collections Study Center?
The Collections Study Center is open to researchers, scholars, and members of the general public.
To schedule a general visit appointment, please email studycenterappointments@sfmoma.org and we will strive to accommodate appointments within 2 weeks of your request.
For researches and scholars interested in reviewing/accessing specific artworks, please follow the guidelines listed in the “How do I access these materials?” Q&A section below.
Can I schedule a class visit?
Yes. If you would like to schedule a class visit, please visit Higher Education Offerings at the Museum.
How do I access these materials?
Those interested in accessing prints, drawings, photographs, and other works on paper can schedule appointments by contacting collectionsstudycenter@sfmoma.org. Visitors and researchers must request an appointment at least three weeks in advance.
The email should include a summary or explanation of the appointment’s purpose. Please follow this link to view the General Guidelines + Physical Handling Rules.
Visitors are also encouraged to first explore SFMOMA’s website to get better acquainted with the breadth of the museum’s collection and determine what material is available for request.
Can I scan, copy, or photograph items during my visit?
You may take snapshots (without flash) of artworks for personal use only.
Do I have to pay an admissions fee to use the Collections Study Center?
There is no fee to use the Collections Study Center.
How is the Collections Study Center different from the Library or Archives?
The Collections Study Center gives researchers access to artworks from the museum’s collection that are not currently on display.
The Library + Archives provide access to books, serials, exhibition documentation, ephemera, media collections, and other non-art materials.
I would like to publish an image of an SFMOMA artwork in my book. How do I obtain permission?
Please contact:
Senior Intellectual Property Associate
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
151 Third Street
San Francisco CA 94103
Email: copyright@sfmoma.org
Phone: 415.618.3268
I own an artwork. Can you tell me how much it is worth?
SFMOMA staff cannot provide such evaluations. Please consult an appraiser to determine the value of your artwork. Appraisers are trained specialists who work for a fee. They will evaluate your piece and give you a written statement of its value. The following organizations do not provide appraisals themselves, but each publishes a directory of its members. Always seek an appraiser with expertise in the type of artwork you own.
Appraisers Association of America
212 West 35th Street, 11th Floor South
New York NY 10001
212.889.5404
appraisersassoc.org
American Society of Appraisers
11107 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 310
Reston VA 20190
703.478.2228 or 800.ASA.VALU
appraisers.org
International Society of Appraisers
225 West Wacker Drive, Suite 650
Chicago IL 60606
312.981.6778
isa-appraisers.org
Some auction houses host “open house” days where visitors can bring in artworks and staff members share their expertise for free. Other houses allow owners to mail in information with a photograph of the artwork. To find an auction house in your area, search online for “fine art auction houses.”