Contemporary Jewish Museum

The Contemporary Jewish Museum is a museum in San Francisco’s South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood that opened in its current, expanded building in 2008. The site is notable for combining a restored 1907 brick electrical substation with a contemporary addition by architect Daniel Libeskind.

The museum presents rotating exhibitions that explore contemporary art, Jewish culture, and cross-disciplinary topics, alongside public programs, performances, and education workshops. Exhibitions change regularly, with a mix of solo-artist shows, thematic group exhibitions, and family-oriented installations.

The building is itself an attraction - the contrast between the historic brick substation and the angular modern addition creates striking interior volumes and gallery configurations. The museum also houses spaces for school programs, public talks, and special events.

The institution expanded by adapting the early 20th-century substation and adding a new Libeskind-designed volume; the renovation and expansion opened to the public in 2008. The project preserved the historic fabric of the substation while adding contemporary gallery and program space.

The museum sits in San Francisco’s SoMa district near the Yerba Buena cultural area and a short walk from other museums and downtown transit. Street-level entrances place it within the city’s cultural corridor.

• Architecture: The building pairs a restored 1907 power substation with a modern addition by Daniel Libeskind, making the architecture itself a primary draw.
• Visitor information: Check the museum website for current admission, exhibition schedules, and public programs before you visit.

What to See #

• Historic substation: A restored 1907 brick electrical substation forms the original portion of the complex and houses galleries and event spaces.
• Libeskind addition: An angular contemporary addition by Daniel Libeskind that opened in 2008 contains additional gallery spaces and the main entrance.
• Galleries and education spaces: Multiple gallery spaces, education studios, and event rooms host rotating exhibitions, workshops, and school programs.