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About the Archives

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.

Two people sit in modern furniture reading library books

Request an Appointment

All researchers using the resources of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Archives must complete an appointment request form.

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Finding Aids

When you fill out the appointment request form, include citations for the materials you need. Find citations in our Finding Aids below.

Programs and Collections

Thumbnail of negative strips showing gallery installation shots

COLLECTION NUMBER: ARCH.ADM.011

Curatorial Records 1959–78

Materials relating to the daily duties of curators and curatorial assistants before the formal establishment of curatorial departments

COLLECTION NUMBER: ARCH.ADM.006

Education Department Records 1957–66 (bulk 1961–66)

Records documenting the formal establishment of the Education Department, and the abundant activities during that period centered on children’s education

COLLECTION NUMBER: ARCH.EXH.001

Exhibition Records 1934–ongoing (bulk 1935–95)

Materials relating to administering exhibitions that the museum generated between 1935 and 1991

COLLECTION NUMBER: ARCH.ADM.008

Film Department Records 1944–65

Records relating to film program activities before the formal establishment of the Film Department

COLLETION NUMBER: ARCH.ADM.010

Film Department Records 1970–80 (bulk 1972–78)

Records of the Film Department dating 1970–80

 SFMOMA calendar 1960

COLLECTION NUMBER: ARCH.ADM.009

Publications Collections 1935–ongoing

Records documenting the museum’s publications, including periodicals, catalogs, posters, invitations, ephemera, and miscellaneous objects

COLLECTION NUMBER: ARCH.ADM.013

Publicity Department Records 1947–92

Records generated or collected by the publicity department, primarily before it was formalized as a department within the museum

COLLECTION NUMBER: ARCH.ADM.007

Research Library Records 1940–68 (bulk 1950–68)

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

Collection Number: ARCH.ADM.016

Permanent Collection Inventory Project of the Junior League, 1934–1964

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.

Collection Number: ARCH.ADM.017

Rolando Castellón Collection, 1972–1980

Records documenting former SFMOMA curator Rolando Castellón’s exhibitions and programs at the museum, consisting of photographs and flyers.

Office of the Director

COLLECTION NUMBER: ARCH.ADM.001

Office of the Director Records (Grace McCann Morley) 1935–58

Administrative records corresponding with the tenure of the museum’s first director, Dr. Grace L. McCann Morley

COLLECTION NUMBER: ARCH.ADM.004

Office of the Director Records (George Culler) 1959–65

Administrative records corresponding generally with the 1958–65 tenure of the museum’s second director, George Culler

 Portrait of SFMOMA director Gerald Nordland

COLLECTION NUMBER: ARCH.ADM.005

Office of the Director Records (Gerald Nordland) 1966–72

Administrative records corresponding with the tenure of the museum’s third director, Gerald Nordland

COLLECTION NUMBER: ARCH.ADM.014

Office of the Director Records (Henry T. Hopkins) 1974–86

Administrative records corresponding with the tenure of the museum’s fourth director, Henry T. Hopkins

Auxiliary Groups

Newspaper clip about Elise Haas

COLLECTION NUMBER: ARCH.COLL.001

Elise S. Haas Papers 1921–91 (bulk 1950–75)

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

COLLECTION NUMBER: ARCH.ADM.002

Golden Gate International Exposition Records 1937–41

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 envelope

COLLECTION NUMBER: ARCH.ADM.012

Society for the Encouragement of Contemporary Art (SECA) Records 1960–2007

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.

COLLECTION NUMBER: ARCH.ADM.003

Women’s Board Records 1934–77 (bulk 1950–72)

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