The purpose of the Archives is to collect, preserve, and share museum records, artifacts, and memorabilia. In this way, the history of SFMOMA — its place within the art canon — along with its collections and exhibitions, are cared for and available to future generations. We hold records from the Office of the Director(s), exhibition documentation and photographs, publications, sound and video recordings of events, and more.
The Archives are open by appointment only. Visitors must request an appointment at least two weeks in advance of their intended visit.
All researchers using the resources of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Archives must complete an appointment request form.
When you fill out the appointment request form, include citations for the materials you need. Find citations in our Finding Aids below.
Materials relating to the daily duties of curators and curatorial assistants before the formal establishment of curatorial departments
Records documenting the formal establishment of the Education Department, and the abundant activities during that period centered on children’s education
Materials relating to administering exhibitions that the museum generated between 1935 and 1991
Records relating to film program activities before the formal establishment of the Film Department
Records of the Film Department dating 1970–80
Records documenting the museum’s publications, including periodicals, catalogs, posters, invitations, ephemera, and miscellaneous objects
Records generated or collected by the publicity department, primarily before it was formalized as a department within the museum
Materials relating specifically to the maintenance and management of the San Francisco Museum of Art Research Library, primarily under the direction of its first professional librarian, Anneliese Hoyer
Records assembled from 1962 through 1964 by volunteers from the Junior League helping to conduct a complete inventory of the permanent collection by, in part, gathering all records that made reference to accessioned works.
Records documenting former SFMOMA curator Rolando Castellón’s exhibitions and programs at the museum, consisting of photographs and flyers.
Administrative records corresponding with the tenure of the museum’s first director, Dr. Grace L. McCann Morley
Administrative records corresponding generally with the 1958–65 tenure of the museum’s second director, George Culler
Administrative records corresponding with the tenure of the museum’s third director, Gerald Nordland
Administrative records corresponding with the tenure of the museum’s fourth director, Henry T. Hopkins
The personal papers of Elise Stern Haas related exclusively to her over fifty year relationship with the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the management and assembly of her private art collection
Correspondence, minutes, reports, press releases, brochures, maps, building plans, and notes documenting the involvement of both SFMOMA and Dr. Grace L. McCann Morley in organizing, running, and dismantling the 1939–40 Golden Gate International Exposition
SECA was founded in 1961 as an auxiliary of the San Francisco Museum of Art. The records are primarily administrative in nature, pertaining to its organizational management, and that of its awards and educational programs.
Correspondence, financial records, press releases and announcements, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, meeting minutes, and other manuscript materials documenting the activities, special projects, and internal administration of the Women’s Board