Museum of the African Diaspora

Why go

Museum of the African Diaspora is defined by the three-story migration mosaic and changing contemporary exhibitions. Another layer comes from a compact gallery footprint within the Yerba Buena cultural district. Plan Museum of the African Diaspora by remembering to confirm that the current installation closure has ended before traveling.

What to look for

• Look closely at the three-story migration mosaic and changing contemporary exhibitions.
• Notice a compact gallery footprint within the Yerba Buena cultural district.

The full story

The Museum of the African Diaspora is a museum in San Francisco, California, documenting the African diaspora. MoAD showcases the history, art, and cultural richness that resulted from the migration of Africans throughout the world. By realizing their mission, MoAD connects all people through their shared African heritage. Their focus spans the African Diaspora across history, from the diaspora at the origin of human existence through the contemporary African Diaspora that has affected communities and cultures around the world. It is located at 685 Mission St. next to the St. Regis. The museum, and the building, opened in 2005. MoAD was developed as part of a public/private partnership led by the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency. In 1999, the City of San Francisco created a mandate to include an African American cultural presence in the last vacant parcel of Yerba Buena Gardens. San Francisco Mayor Willie L. Brown appointed a steering committee to determine the mission and scope of a cultural facility within the complex. Cultural management, architectural and design consultants worked with members of the committee to design a world-class facility and develop fresh, vital programming that didn’t exist anywhere else.

Useful to know

• For Museum of the African Diaspora, confirm that the current installation closure has ended before traveling.
• Pair Museum of the African Diaspora with SFMOMA or Yerba Buena Gardens when the route and opening conditions align.

Your next visit

Estimated · Declared scenario and planning estimates; no live opening, weather, queue or booking service.