Museum of the African Diaspora
Located at the corner of Mission and Third Streets, the Museum of the African Diaspora makes its home in one of San Francisco’s most important cultural districts. MoAD lies in close proximity to the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, and other notable cultural institutions including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Cartoon Museum and the Contemporary Jewish Museum. Together, these educational venues have helped make this corridor a popular destination for visitors to the Bay Area.
Formerly known as The African American Cultural Institute, MoAD opened its doors to the public in 2005 with a different focus. The museum expanded its mission to showcase the cultural heritage of all African people and the history of their far-flung dispersal across the globe. MoAD’s goal is to demonstrate the cultural impact that African people have had on other cultures as it celebrates African heritage. To these ends, the museum regularly hosts exhibitions and educational programs to enlighten the public. The MoAD space occupies three floors of the old St. Regis Hotel and was designed by the architectural firm, The Freelon Group. Bright, airy rooms and a glass facade create a seamless look and feel for visitors as they walk the facility and enjoy the interactive exhibits and programs.
Utilizing technology and multimedia arts, MoAD educates, enlightens and entertains visitors and illustrates the global impact of African culture. It is one of the only museums in the world to focus solely on the cultural influence of Africans worldwide. The museum also sponsors the MoAD Youth Media Program to provide skills and job training to young people from underserved neighborhoods.
The MoAD and its museum store are open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 12 PM to 5 PM. The Heritage Center is open Wednesday through Sunday, 12 PM to 4 PM. All facilities are closed on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Admission for adults is $10, students and seniors pay $5 and children under the age of five are admitted free of charge. MoAD’s address is 685 Mission Street. You can visit the museum’s website at http://www.moadsf.org or reach them by phone at 415-318-7200.