Museum of the African Diaspora facts for kids
The Museum of the African Diaspora (often called MoAD) is a cool art museum in San Francisco, California. It's special because it shows art and artists only from the African diaspora. The African diaspora refers to people of African origin who live all over the world. MoAD is one of the few museums like this in the United States.
You can find MoAD at 685 Mission St. in the Yerba Buena Arts District. It takes up the first three floors of the St. Regis Museum Tower. MoAD is a nonprofit organization, which means it's not run for profit. It's also connected with the Smithsonian museums, which are famous national museums.
Before 2014, MoAD taught visitors about the history, culture, and art of the African diaspora. It had both permanent and changing exhibits. In 2014, the museum closed for six months for a big update. When it reopened, it started focusing only on fine arts exhibitions. MoAD doesn't have its own permanent collection of art. Instead, it works directly with artists or special curators to create its shows.
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MoAD's Purpose
MoAD's main goal is to "celebrate Black cultures." It also wants to start important conversations and help people learn. It does all this by looking at the global story of the African Diaspora.
How MoAD Started
MoAD was created through a special partnership. The city of San Francisco wanted to add an African-American cultural spot. This spot would be in the last empty part of Yerba Buena Gardens.
In 1999, the city decided this cultural presence was important. San Francisco Mayor Willie L. Brown chose a group of people to plan the new cultural center. This group decided what the center's purpose and size would be.
The idea for the African American Cultural Institute began in 2002. Later, the new museum was named the Museum of the African Diaspora. This name showed that its focus was wider. It became a nonprofit organization. The museum space was designed by the Freelon Group. It's inside the St. Regis Museum Tower, a tall building with luxury homes and a fancy hotel. MoAD first opened its doors in 2005.
Linda Harrison became the executive director of MoAD in November 2013. In June 2014, MoAD closed for six months for renovations. These updates made more space for art and gave the museum a fresh look. By October 2014, MoAD officially became a Smithsonian Affiliate. Linda Harrison left MoAD in 2018 to lead another museum.
Monetta White became the executive director in December 2019. She has been involved with MoAD since it first opened in 2005.
The First Focus of MoAD
Before 2014, MoAD had a different main focus. It taught visitors about the "original African diaspora." This refers to the very first movements of Homo sapiens (early humans). These first humans started in Africa and eventually moved to all parts of the world.
The museum used to ask visitors, "When did you first realize you are African?" It shared the scientific idea that all humans have a common origin in Africa. This idea is called panethnicity.
Helping New Artists
The Emerging Artists Program at MoAD helps new artists. It started when the museum celebrated its 10th anniversary. This program gets support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
- Tim Roseborough and Cheryl Derricotte were featured from 2015–2016.
- Nyame Brown, Helina Metaferia, Lili Bernard, and Angie Keller were featured from 2016–2017.
Images for kids
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Museum of the African Diaspora members stand outside the museum, awaiting a tour.
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