History
The Museum of Craft and Design opened in 2004 on Sutter Street, in San Francisco’s Union Square District, as the San Francisco Museum of Craft Design. In 2010, the Museum changed our name to better distinguish ourself. During summer 2011, an unfortunate series of events led to the Museum temporarily being without a permanent home. Through a nimble and resilient response to these events from the Board and staff, the organization devised a plan to expand MCD’s audience base within the City and to increase public awareness of its programs and mission.
In the fall of 2010, MCD launched the first of a series of pop-up museums—exhibitions, educational programs, and retail store—in temporary locations throughout San Francisco. We have strategically chosen neighborhoods where San Franciscans live, work, and play, enabling MCD to bring the works of truly exemplary artists from local, national and international craft and design scenes right into the midst of the City’s many vibrant communities. Importantly, this initiative allows us to retain most of its staff and to continue its contribution to San Francisco’s art community while it searches for a building to purchase as a permanent home.
Photo: Detail of TRILUX, by Nataly Gattegno and Jason Kelly Johnson, part of Place Making: Installations at Hayes and Octavia. Photography: Adam Willis.