For those of you that know me, my passion for the Bay Area’s diverse and exceptional cultural experiences is personal.
In 2007, my move to San Francisco to be a part of the California Academy of Sciences reimagined reopening in Golden Gate Park provided a perspective that has forever shaped and informed USCHMC’s critical work today.
Simply put, museums are not just treasures of the past; they are living, breathing reflections of our collective identity and aspirations. They connect us to stories and history, challenge us to think critically, and inspire innovation for all.
From dynamic exhibitions to immersive performances, the arts create spaces for dialogue, discovery, understanding, and most importantly - community.
However, the sustainability of these invaluable institutions cannot rely solely on exhibition-to-exhibition attendance, short-term activations, or membership engagement. There is now – more than ever – the need for bold, cross-sector funding mechanisms that integrate public, private, and philanthropic investments to secure the long-term viability of the arts.
From my vantage point, a real-time example is the The Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco, which recently announced the difficult decision to close its doors for at least a year - to recalibrate and assess their internal vision and strategic framework. This bold decision by Kerry King, Executive Director and the CJM Board of Directors, highlights the importance of pausing to ensure long-term sustainability and meaningful impact.
However, the measure of success in endeavors such as CJM is embarking upon is deeply tied to the support and insights of external cultural stakeholders - partners who can lend expertise, resources, and innovative ideas to reshape a museum’s future.
It's time to move beyond viewing the arts as an expense - and recognize their essential investment in our communities, creative economies, and shared perspectives. Together, we can champion sustainable solutions that preserve and amplify the impact of our cultural institutions for generations to come. This will ensure locals, museum members, students of all ages, global visitors and educators can benefit from these important cultural assets that contribute to the fabric of not only San Francisco - but global communities of all sizes.
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