San Francisco’s Museum of Modern Art

I had the opportunity to pop by the Museum of Modern Art (SFMoMA) the other day, and wow, was I glad I did!

Located on Third Street between Howard and Folsom, this museum starts your art experience from the first glance. The building, by architect Mario Botta, evokes inspiration from both the outside and the airy inside. The first floor is a typical museum layout — guest services, coat check, and, of course, the gift shop. As an aside, the gift shop at the SFMoMA is full of fabulous gifts and trinkets, beyond just the pieces of art you see in the museum itself. If you need a small, unique gift, check it out.

You head upstairs to start the exhibits. The exhibits really run the gamut: photographs, paintings, drawings, digital, abstract, film…happen in there for a truly different art experience.

I was lucky enough to see the Frida Kahlo exhibit, and what I thought was especially cool, and which I haven’t seen at a lot of museums, is the interactive element they added at the tail end. Had there been fewer people, I could have sat and explored a variety of web resources about Frida, or watched a movie, or listened to an expert speak on the paintings. It was an excellent way to bring greater interest to both the casual observer and the more serious art historian.

The exhibits rotate every few months, so check out the website for what’s there when you’re ready to visit. Cost for adults is $12.50, students with current ID are $7. First Tuesdays are free, and Thursday evenings after 6pm are half-priced. There may be extra charges for special exhibits.

To get to the SFMoMA, take BART or any underground MUNI to the Montgomery station, head upstairs and walk down Third Street. For above-ground options, exit at Kearny/Third Street, and walk down Third.