VISIT
Plan your visit. View museum hours, admission, holidays and more.
Hours and Admission
MUSEUM HOURS
ADMISSION
MoAD will be closing to the public temporarily in 2025 to upgrade items in our interior spaces and galleries. Due to this extensive work, the museum will be closed from March through September, but will continue to host programs and events off-site in collaboration with many of MoAD's local partners. We look forward to welcoming the public back in October 2025 as part of our 20th anniversary celebration!
THRIVE @ MoAD Community Day
Join us every Second Saturday for THRIVE @ MoAD Community Day with free admission to all our exhibitions. Across the globe, museums are increasingly being recognized as having an important role to play in promoting personal and social well-being in partnership with the healthcare industry. Studies have shown that engagement with art and culture aid in brain function, processing trauma, and reducing the stigma of mental illness.
Thu, Jul 4, 2024
Thu, Nov 28, 2024
Fri, Nov 29, 2024
Wed, Dec 25, 2024
Thur, Dec 26, 2024
Wed, Jan 1, 2025
Mon, Jan 20, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
MoAD will celebrate the national observance of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday as a Day of Service, providing FREE admission to the museum and programs throughout the day.
Learn more
Visitors are expected to respect MoAD staff and other visitors. Behavior or language that is inappropriate, abusive, harassing, or threatening, including sexual harassment and racial or other slurs, will not be tolerated. Refusal to follow this Code of Conduct and any rules—whether on print materials or as directed by MoAD staff—can result in removal from the site.
Getting Here
Location
685 Mission Street (at Third)
San Francisco, California 94105
By Car
- Get driving directions (Google maps)
- Find parking information (Google maps)
By Public Transportation
Museums for All
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Visit MoAD through Museums for All
Through Museums for All, those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) can gain free or reduced admission to more than 700 museums throughout the United States simply by presenting their EBT card. Free entry is available for up to 4 individuals per EBT card.
Tours
Thank you for your interest in visiting MoAD! We’re currently closed for exciting building renovations and look forward to welcoming you back for tours starting the first week of October 2025. For any inquiries, reach us at tours@moadsf.org
Visit School Tours pageVisit Non-School Tours page
Private Events/Rentals
Host unforgettable events in the heart of San Francisco
FAQs
When did MoAD open?
We opened in 2005.
Will MoAD be temporarily closed?
MoAD will temporarily close to the public in 2025 to upgrade our interior spaces and galleries. Due to this extensive work, the museum will be closed from March through September but will continue to host programs and events off-site in collaboration with many of our local partners. We look forward to welcoming the public back in October 2025 for the opening of our new exhibition, Unbound, and Nexus: SF/Bay Area Black Art Week as part of our 20th anniversary celebration!
What does Diaspora mean?
The spread and movement of people from their ancestral homelands. In the context of the African Diaspora, it recognizes the presence of Black people all over the globe, whether by means of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, migration, immigration, or other factors.
Can you tell me about the photos in the elevator and the staircases?
The mosaic entitled "The Face of the African Diaspora” is a collection of over 2000 photos taken by people from all over the world, notably African countries, South America, the West Indies, and the United States. Together, the photos form an image of a portrait of a young Ghanaian girl entitled Girl From Tamale which was taken by the African American photographer Chester Higgins Jr. on a trip to Ghana in 1975. The large mosaic was arranged into MoAD’s signature mosaic by Robert Silvers and Runaway Technologies. As you ascend the stairs, you experience the composite story of people’s movement out of Africa in a three story mosaic. Each image encompasses family memories and stories contributed to the Museum along with the photographs.
How long does it usually take to see the exhibits?
People generally spend anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour visiting the galleries. This will also change per exhibit.
Can I take photos?
Non-flash photography is allowed with exceptions, which are posted in the galleries as needed.
Can I use your bathroom?
MoAD’s bathroom is for Museum guests only. There is a public restroom in the Yerba Buena Gardens.
Can I touch the artwork?
Artwork must NEVER be touched, except where expressly noted.
Can I draw or sketch in the galleries?
Yes, you may draw and sketch in the galleries, but must use eraser-less pencils.
Visiting with kids:
Kids and families receive a warm welcome at MoAD. Our elevator makes it easy to navigate with a stroller, and kids ages 12 and under always receive free admission.
Museums For All:
Visit MoAD through Museums for All
- Through Museums for All, those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) can gain free or reduced admission to more than 700 museums throughout the United States simply by presenting their EBT card. Free entry is available for up to 4 individuals per EBT card.
Holiday schedule:
The museum is closed on the following holidays:
- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
- New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving and the following day
Visitor Code of Conduct:
Visitors are expected to respect MoAD staff and other visitors. Behavior or language that is inappropriate, abusive, harassing, or threatening, including sexual harassment and racial or other slurs, will not be tolerated. Refusal to follow this Code of Conduct and any rules—whether on print materials or as directed by MoAD staff—can result in removal from the site.
Accessibility
Museum of the African Diaspora is ADA accessible to all visitors
1. Access to Galleries & Theatre
- MoAD is fully accessible via wheelchair. Our elevator makes it easy to move between floors. We have one wheelchair you may borrow during your visit, subject to availability.
- Wheelchair seating is available at events and within the Freedom Theater for visitors using wheelchairs and for their companions.
- All Museum galleries and the theatre are accessible via large stairways.
2. Accessible Toilets & Water Fountain
- Our restroom is equipped with a diaper-changing table and a unisex stall for helping a companion.
- Water fountain on the second floor. (Water fountains are currently out of service to comply with health and safety measures)
3. Museum Guides & Audio Accessibility
- Guided audio tour available on the exhibitions pages on this website. Visual descriptions audio tour offers detailed descriptions of selected works on display within our galleries.
- Films in the Freedom Theater are shown with open captioning in English.
4. Assistance & Companion Animals
- Service animals, such as guide dogs for the blind, are welcome at MoAD. Pets are not allowed.
Around the Neighborhood
MoAD is located in the heart of the Yerba Buena Arts District. The museum is surrounded by great food, incredible art, and striking architecture.
Learn more about what's happening around the neighborhood at: https://visityerbabuena.org/
COVID-19 Safety
MoAD is abiding by the following San Francisco county COVID-19 Safety protocols: masks are optional within the museum.
California, including San Francisco county, has suspended masking requirement for fully vaccinated individuals. Masks are now optional as per the latest local health guidelines and due to decreasing transmission rates in our region. We prioritize the well-being of our guests and strive to create a safe and comfortable environment. While masks are no longer required, we fully respect personal choices.- If you are feeling ill, take care of yourself, stay home, and we hope you feel better soon.
- A heightened cleaning regimen has been adopted by the janitorial staff to clean frequently touched items including bathrooms, tables, and countertops. Wash or sanitize your hands frequently. Sanitizer dispensers are located within the Museum.
- Any behavior or activity that disrupts the safe or orderly use of the Museum, or that affects the staff’s ability to provide services, is prohibited.
- Please treat each other and our staff with respect — no profanity and/or engaging in rude, inconsiderate, or abusive behavior. We can all use a little kindness.
Visitors not following the COVID-19 Safety protocols will be promptly asked to leave MoAD.
COVID-19 Pre-screening Questions:
1. Within the past 10 days, have you been diagnosed with, or tested positive for, COVID-19?
2. Have you had close contact or live in the same household with someone who in the past 14 days has been in isolation for, or tested positive for, COVID-19?
3. Have you had any of the following in the last 24 hours?
- Fever (100.4°F/38°C or greater) or chill
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- FatigueMuscle or body aches
- HeadacheNew loss of taste or smell
- Sore throatCongestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
By entering the building, you acknowledge that you have reviewed and answered “no” to all these questions.
The City of San Francisco requires these questions be posted. Please review them, and if you answer yes to any, return another day.
