ABOUT
Where the African Diaspora Shapes Contemporary Art
ABOUT
The Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) is a contemporary art museum where the African Diaspora shapes contemporary art. We champion the work of artists whose voices expand and redefine the global cultural conversation, placing the African Diaspora at its center.
The work we elevate is more than expression. It is impact. It moves the world toward a more inclusive and equitable future.
Through bold exhibitions, transformative programs, and an unwavering commitment to community, we honor the legacies that shape us and the lineages that we carry forward. Together, we are building a future where Black creativity is visible, valued, and at the forefront of redefining the conversation.
Our mission
To place the contemporary art and artists of the African Diaspora at the center of the global cultural conversation.
Our History
The Museum of the African Diaspora opened to the public in 2005 and is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization.
MoAD is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and plays a vital role in the local arts community. MoAD is uniquely positioned as one of the few museums in the world focused exclusively on African Diaspora culture and on presenting the rich cultural heritage of the people of Africa and of African descendant cultures all across the globe.
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Our Funders
MoAD relies on the generous support of our donors and members. The Museum is also deeply grateful for the year-round grants we receive from foundations, corporations, and government funders, who have helped make this Museum what it is today.
Smithsonian Affiliate
San Francisco's Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) is a Smithsonian Affiliate. Smithsonian Affiliations is a national outreach program that develops long-term partnerships with museums and other cultural and educational organizations. Through the Affiliate network, the Smithsonian shares content, resources, and expertise including educational programs, exhibitions, and other activities. Affiliate organizations work in collaboration with the Smithsonian to catalyze critical conversations in their communities, introduce issues of historic and contemporary importance, and help their audiences to better understand the world around them.
Read All About It - Affiliates in the News
African American Smithsonian sets a new standard for museums as destinations