Expansion Timeline

Project Milestones

April 2009

In response to dramatic growth in SFMOMA's programs, collections, and audiences, the museum announces plans to expand.
September 2009

SFMOMA reaches a verbal agreement with the Fisher family to share the contemporary art collection of Gap founders Doris and Donald Fisher with the public.
Fall/Winter 2009

SFMOMA forms a committee to select the architect for the expansion.

SFMOMA works with the management consulting firm Bain & Company to complete a comprehensive business plan determining the operating expenses and related revenue and endowment requirements necessary to sustain an expanded program and facility.
February 2010

The partnership between SFMOMA and the Fisher family is formally ratified.

The museum announces challenge pledges totaling more than $250 million toward the projected $480 million campaign goal. This early challenge grant from museum leadership includes $100 million for the endowment — increasing it by 100 percent.

SFMOMA announces that it will partner with the city of San Francisco to relocate Fire Station 1 from its current location on Howard Street to a new, modern facility on Folsom Street, a significant gift from the museum to the community. In return, the city will turn over the existing firehouse and a small portion of Hunt Street behind it to SFMOMA.
May 2010

After examining the work of some 35 firms, the architect selection committee announces a short list of four firms — Adjaye Associates, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Foster + Partners, and Snøhetta — who are invited to present ideas on how they would approach the expansion project and meet SFMOMA's goals.

In the two months that follow, the search committee travels to the four firms' offices and visits relevant buildings to better understand how each practice might contribute to SFMOMA's vision.
July 2010

The architect selection committee recommends Snøhetta to collaborate with SFMOMA on the expansion.
September 2010

SFMOMA's Board of Trustees formally ratifies the selection of Snøhetta.

EHDD is named the local architect and joins the expansion project team.

The process of preparing a conceptual design begins.
February 2011

SFMOMA launches a multiyear Collections Campaign with 195 promised gifts from a committee of nine Bay Area collectors. Some of the artists represented include Diane Arbus, Joseph Beuys, Robert Gober, Eva Hesse, Ellsworth Kelly, Bruce Nauman, Jackson Pollock, Ed Ruscha, and David Smith.
May 2011

SFMOMA unveils expansion conceptual designs.

Webcor is named the general contractor and joins the expansion project team.