Museums in SoMa (San Francisco)

SFMOMA San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Opened in 1995, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art houses a permanent collection of over 15,000 works, including 4,700 paintings, sculptures, works on paper, and 9,000 photographs. The museum has exhibited the works of Henri Matisse, Richard Diebenkorn, Dorothea Lange, Paul Klee, Cindy Sherman, Matthew Barney and many contemporary artists. Designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta, the space itself is a wonder to behold. The lobby floor, for instance, is a massive chessboard. Gargantuan sculptures hang from above.This art gallery is located near the Yerba Buena Gardens.

Zeum

Inside this space-age glass and metal cone, young creativity is blossoming. Zeum is the place for budding kid and teen artists to hone their skills while discovering new ones. Visual, media and performing artists are always on hand to interact in real time. Children are encouraged to help with projects, including stop-action animation, digital photography, and that cutting-edge new media form, webcasting, to experiment and to learn. Don't miss the Charles Loof carousel (circa 1906) - its hand-carved wooden animals have been restored to their original baroque perfection. This place is wonderful fun for the whole family. Admission prices are $6 for youth ages 3-18; $8 for adults; $7 for students/seniors; free admission for members and children under the age of 2.

The Luggage Store Gallery

The Luggage Store Gallery is an art gallery in every sense of that expression. That is, all the various arts are on display here. Dance, film, spoken word, poetry, comedy, and literary events all fit into the event calendar for the artsy crowd that mixes twenty-somethings and older fans. The space itself is artistic with its sleek, modern decor. Come on "Open Mic Night" to liberate your own inner artist! Admission varies with events. Cash only.

New Langton Arts

Best known for installation and performance arts, New Langton Arts also acts as an unofficial cultural center for artists, showcasing the up-and-coming in the art world as well as established artists. The work may not be for everyone, but it is never less than cutting edge and is sure to raise eyebrows. Experimental and avant-garde works in every medium imaginable are shown here. The gallery also hosts the annual Bay Area Awards artists showcase each Autumn.

Refusalon

Enter Refusalon, an underground gallery, and wander through the dank subterranean atmosphere. The experimental works are worth checking out, if only for the surprise value. There is no better place in The City to catch rising stars in the art world or to chart the course of where that cutting edge is heading in a variety of media and styles. Hosted shows include Eric Saks, Patrick Tierney, Pip Culbert, and others.

Crown Point Press

Crown Point Press is a small, friendly gallery which features contemporary etchings. The gallery consists of two showrooms devoted to exhibiting limited editions of etchings. Displays highlight local artists, and are rotated every six weeks. The knowledgeable and friendly staff can walk you through the fascinating etching process and introduce you to the modern masters of the art form. Collectors of etchings will be delighted with the selection.

Arkitektura In-Situ

This place features the latest and greatest in European and American commercial and residential furniture design. Within a museum-like setting. The showroom is 15,000 square feet divided into individual sleek studios for each manufacturer such as Armani, Saporiti and Vladimir Kagan. The partitions have silkscreened graphics promoting each manufacturers' philosophy, history, and significant designs. The knowledgeable staff can help you pick out the perfect overstuffed chair. Many pieces look like haute Jetson, from a surprisingly comfortable cushion-free chaise to a bar stool that dares any conservative to sit in it.

Catharine Clark Gallery

The Catharine Clark Gallery is a phenomenal location for contemporary artists to display their work. An interestingly dimensional gallery space makes it intimate and accessible. the Catharine Clark Gallery changes exhibits on a regular basis.

Aftermodern

If you have a few hours at your disposal, this aptly-named, 2,500 square foot gallery in San Francisco's happening SoMa district will help while them away. Home to contemporary artists, such as Gigi Mills and Aaron White, the gallery hosts exhibits and showings on a regular basis. Stroll in, to admire some collector's works that promise to challenge and question stereotyped ideas of art down the ages. A word of warning to lovers of traditional art, this is typically what you might call 'just a splash of color on a canvas'! Check out the web site for upcoming events and the gallery hours.

Bay Area Now (Yerba Buena Center for the Arts)

The 'Bay Area Now' exhibition is an exciting event presented by the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, running from July 2005 to May 2006. Honoring emerging Bay Area artists, the exhibition studies contemporary trends in local video art, performance and film/video. Featuring 33 artists and collaborators, the visual art exhibition runs from July 16 2005 to November 6 2005, showcasing traditional and experimental art projects. The Ted Purves Momentary Academy offers instruction by 'Bay Area Now' artists. The Performing Arts presentation showcases innovative work in the genre, and highlights include performances by: The Campo-Santo Company, The Kunst-stoff Dance Company, and The Kronos Quartet.

Sculpturesite Gallery

Sculpturesite is the only gallery in San Francisco Bay Area that is exclusively dedicated to sculptures. Significant emphasis is laid on contemporary form of this art though. The gallery carefully selects the artists on the basis of their skill, clarity of concept and approach to technique. Use of material is another very important aspect that plays a prime role in the deciding factor of a sculpture's price. Each and every sculpture goes through a quality procedure where budget, grade and safety issues are very well taken into consideration.

Electric Works

Electric Works provides a number of services to San Francisco's fine arts community, including printmaking, scanning, and an expansive gallery space for exhibitions. Several types of printing are employed, drawing on traditional methods and new, often experimental technologies. Its truly inspiring to watch creativity and skillful expertise of teh artists. Visit the website for the gallery details and timings.