SFMOMA recently announced an unprecedented partnership with Creative Growth Art Center and will acquire more than 100 new pieces. Creative Growth Art Center is a nonprofit organization based in Oakland that supports artists with developmental disabilities. The partnership with SFMOMA comes just in time for the nonprofit’s 50th anniversary, and the partnership extends to Creative Growth’s peer organizations, Creativity Explored and Richmond-based NIAD.
Each organization works to support artists with disabilities who have been historically marginalized in the art world, and SFMOMA’s acquisition is a significant step in the art and disability movement in the Bay Area.
“This partnership is part of our ongoing effort to fulfill SFMOMA’s vision to present and collect a more diverse range of artists, expanding our understanding of art history and the narratives and artists that have shaped it. It is one important step of many in the museum’s overdue commitment to prioritize accessibility and artists with disabilities,” said Christopher Bedford, the Helen and Charles Schwab Director of SFMOMA.
SFMOMA acquired 114 works during the partnership, and an exhibition selected works will debut in SFMOMA in Spring 2024. Works range from 1980 to 2022, in various mediums including acrylic, oil pastels, and ceramics. SFMOMA’s involvement doesn’t stop there, various talks and a gala will be held in Spring 2024 as well.
About Creative Growth Art Center
Founded in 1974 by Elias Katz and Florence Ludins-Katz, the nonprofit organization originated as a space for artists with disabilities to express themselves creatively. The nonprofit is artist-run and hosts over 140 artists in its studio every week.
Creatively explored and Nurturing Independence through Artistic Development (NIAD) was founded in 1983 and 1984, also by the Katzes.
“SFMOMA’s investment marks a historic milestone in the contemporary art world,” said Ginger Shulick Porcella, Executive Director at Creative Growth Art Center. “It has been far too long that art institutions have ignored or underrecognized artists with disabilities. These talented creators can no longer be relegated to the category of ‘outsider artists’ as they firmly occupy the walls of museums worldwide.”
More details to come about the events and exhibition at SFMOMA.