Manny’s: State of the Art(s) – Innovation and Survival in San Francisco’s Museums

San Francisco’s museums are navigating a period of both creative resurgence and financial challenge, with 2025 bringing a dynamic slate of exhibitions—from the groundbreaking “Art of Manga” at the de Young to major retrospectives at SFMOMA and the Legion of Honor. While some institutions are reporting their highest attendance in recent years, many museums citywide continue to face budget cuts, staff reductions, and closures as visitor numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels. Amid these challenges, ICA SF has embraced its new, expansive home in The Cube downtown, offering free admission and experimental programming, all while seeking a sustainable financial model and aiming to broaden access and relevance for diverse audiences.

Join Christopher Bedford, the Helen and Charles Schwab Director of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) and Ali Gass, Founding Director + Chief Curator at the ICA, to explore how San Francisco’s museums are balancing innovative programming and community engagement with the realities of a shifting urban landscape and ongoing economic uncertainty.