Go to: San Francisco Main Event Calendar | San Francisco Art Galleries
San Francisco Museum Exhibits - October 2008
Listings updated annually.
October 2008 exhibits at San Francisco museums. Museums outside of the city are listed at the end.
** Note: Museums not listed are temporarily closed or do not have special exhibitions this month.
The Guide to San Francisco Museums has a more extensive list of venues, with full address and location information. The San Francisco Museum Map shows locations of museums within the city.
See the guide to Free Museum Days in San Francisco for monthly freebies.
1. San Francisco Museum Map
Click here for the San Francisco museum map. Clicking the image on the left will not link you to the map.
This map shows the locations of San Francisco museums, from the large cluster of venues near Yerba Buena Gardens (including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art) to museums farther afield such as the Legion of Honor in the Outer Richmond.
2. Asian Art Museum
Civic Center
See: San Francisco Museum Map and Guide to SF Museums
Arts of the Islamic World From Turkey to Indonesia
To Mar 1, 2009
Approximately 60 paintings, manuscripts, ceramics, textiles, historic photographs highlighting these artistic traditions
Contemporary Korean Fiber Art: Reinterpreting the Korean Patchwork
To Nov 24, 2008
Showcasing six artists whose works transformed into modern expressions, the materials and techniques used in traditional Korean crafts
Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul
Oct 24 to Jan 25, 2009
Features nearly 230 artworks, including gold objects from the famed Bactrian Hoard, bronze and stone sculptures, ivories, painted glassware, ancient art.
3. California Academy of Sciences
Photo © Ingrid Taylar
Golden Gate Park - See Map
Profile & Photos: California Academy of Sciences
New California Academy of Sciences Building
Opened on September 27, 2008
The brand new Academy of Sciences building features hundreds of exhibits, thousands of animals, the largest indoor coral reef, a multi-level rainforest, and a living roof and observation deck. Read the profile above to get a glimpse into San Francisco's new Academy of Sciences facility.
4. California Historical Society
Location: SoMa/South of Market - (SoMa Information)
See also: San Francisco Museum Map and Guide to SF Museums
California Presidential Candidates and Campaigns from the Golden State
Sep 13, 2008 to Jan 24, 2009
Exhibition of artifacts and ephemera explores the history of California’s colorful presidential candidates and the important role the state has played in presidential elections.
5. Cartoon Art Museum
Location: SoMa/South of Market - (SoMa Information)
See also: San Francisco Museum Map and Guide to SF Museums
From Richie Rich to Wendy the Witch: The Art of Harvey Comics
To November 30, 2008
Visual history of the popular comic book publisher
Small Press Spotlight: Briana Miller
To Nov 30, 2008
Showcase of work by Berkeley-born cartoonist
Bay Area Spotlight: Keith Knight
To November 9, 2008
First comprehensive exhibition of cartoonist Keith Knight, creator of the K Chronicles, (th)ink and The Knight Life
The Totoro Forest Project
To Feb 8, 2009
Original works of art from The Totoro Forest Project Charity Auction, featuring paintings, illustrations and sculptures from nearly 200 animators, cartoonists and illustrators
6. Conservatory of Flowers
Location: Golden Gate Park
Website
See the Golden Gate Park and the Inner Sunset on a San Francisco Neighborhood Map
The Butterfly Zone: Plants and Pollinators
Through November 2, 2008
Exhibit returns with double the number of butterflies and more nectar plants for feeding
7. Contemporary Jewish Museum
Photo © Ingrid Taylar
SoMa
See: San Francisco Museum Map and Guide to SF Museums
In the Beginning: Artists Respond to Genesis
To Jan 4, 2009
Pairs seven new artist commissions with historically important works to explore our changing understanding of the story of creation as depicted in Genesis Chapter 1.
Warhol's Jews: Ten Portraits Reconsidered
Oct 12, 2008 to Jan 25, 2009
Warhol's "Ten Portraits of Jews of the Twentieth Century" portrays a pantheon of great Jewish thinkers, politicians, performers, musicians, and writers.
John Zorn Presents the Aleph-Bet Sound Project
To Jan 4, 2009
Acclaimed musician and MacArthur Fellow Zorn curates a series of original sound pieces based on a letter of the Hebrew alphabet
8. de Young Museum
© Ingrid Taylar
Location: Golden Gate Park
Profile of de Young Museum
See also: San Francisco Museum Map and Guide to SF Museums
Asian/American/Modern Art: Shifting Currents, 1900-1970
Oct 25, 2008 to Jan 18, 2009
Presents the work of artists of Asian ancestry who lived and worked in the United States
Maya Lin: Systematic Landscapes
Oct 25, 2008 to Jan 18, 2009
Exhibition of new sculptures, drawings, and installations by renowned artist Maya Lin, the artist behind the design of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Sightings: The Ecology of an Art Museum
Oct 25, 2008 to Feb 8, 2009
Shimon Attie’s high-definition video installation exploring the relationship between works of art and museum visitors and staff
9. Exploratorium
Location - Marina District - (Marina District Information)
See also: San Francisco Museum Map and Guide to SF Museums
Mind: The Art, Science and Experience of our Inner Lives
Ongoing
The Mind team spent more than a year researching the cognitive sciences to create experiences highlighting the way our minds work.
Listen: Making Sense of Sound
Ongoing
Permanent collection of interactive exhibits, focusing on subtle and profound aspects of hearing
See the Exploratorium website for additional ongoing exhibitions and activities.
10. Legion of Honor
© Ingrid Taylar
Location: Outer Richmond (Outer Richmond Information)
Profile of the Legion of Honor
See also: San Francisco Museum Map and Guide to SF Museums
The State Museums of Berlin and the Legacy of James Simon
Oct 18, 2008 to Jan 18, 2009
Exhibition honors the cultural legacy of James Simon, perhaps the most important patron Berlin has ever known. Features more than 100 works, borrowed from nine separate museums, spanning from the 3rd millennium BC to the 18th century AD.
