The Mexican Museum in San Francisco, a cultural institution that has struggled to find a permanent home for nearly a decade, continues to face significant hurdles as its planned reopening approaches.
Originally established in 1975 in the Mission District, the museum has had its extensive collection in storage since it closed its previous location at Fort Mason Center in 2018.
Last reported efforts indicated that the museum aimed to unveil its first phase at 706 Mission Street by early 2025.
However, an audit conducted by the city in March 2024 cast doubt on this timeline, highlighting potential ‘misuse of funds’ and leading the San Francisco Chronicle to declare the museum’s future as uncertain.
In response, the museum’s board defended its management against the Chronicle’s claims, labeling the article as filled with ‘misrepresentations’ and ‘slanderous accusations.’
Despite the threat of legal action from the museum, no retractions were issued by the Chronicle, although a minor correction was made to align with the language used in the audit.
The museum’s location, part of a modern development that includes the Four Seasons Private Residences, was completed in 2020.
The city has maintained control over this space since it agreed to lease it to the museum back in 2012.
As part of their contract, the museum was required to commence construction on tenant improvements within 24 months after receiving access to the space, which occurred in the summer of 2023.
Since this pivotal moment, the Mexican Museum announced it had received financial pledges totaling $16 million, crucial for moving forward.
However, they missed a critical June 14 deadline to secure access to these funds, jeopardizing a $6.6 million grant from the city.
Fortunately, the Office of Community Infrastructure and Investment (OCII) granted the museum a 60-day extension to meet these fundraising requirements.
The expected cost for the first phase of construction is approximately $11 million, and the museum needed to raise about $4.5 million from private donors by June to qualify for the release of city funding.
Now, with a notice of default issued by the city’s Real Estate Division, the museum faces the grim possibility of lease termination.
The city anticipates that the museum will fail to meet its lease obligations, leading them to send notice of this anticipated breach and offer an opportunity for the museum to rectify the situation.
Xochitl Castañeda, the former board secretary and a professor at UC Berkeley, has confirmed to the Chronicle her disassociation with the institution amidst ongoing turmoil.
In a previous statement, she emphasized the importance of the Mexican Museum’s presence in reflecting Latino narratives in alignment with other prominent city art institutions.
Castañeda asserted that the people of San Francisco and California deserved a world-class museum that honored their cultural heritage.
However, challenges in fundraising may have compounded over the years due to the lack of a physical gallery space to showcase its collection to potential donors.
The Chronicle even pointed out that signs of financial strain were evident well before the onset of the pandemic.
Former Supervisor Aaron Peskin expressed skepticism regarding the museum’s viability, stating that its inability to perform raises concerns about its future under the current administration of Mayor Daniel Lurie.
Peskin suggested that the former mayor was aware of the museum’s precarious financial situation but avoided addressing these issues during her reelection campaign to maintain political stability.
Despite efforts and intentions, the future of the Mexican Museum remains precarious, as both city officials and community members express deep concern about its capabilities to fulfill its obligations and serve its intended mission.
image source from：sfist
