The Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco will shut its doors for at least one year due to a slow recovery from the COVID pandemic and ensuing economic struggles in the city’s downtown area.
“The work that we’re doing now by taking a temporary closure and putting together the team to re-envision the Contemporary Jewish Museum will enable us to have a long-term future,” said Kerry King, the museum’s executive director.
“We’ve had a framework of what’s happened to downtown San Francisco and the recovery economic framework, and we’ve had the politics of today,” she added.
The museum closed to the public on Dec. 15.
“It is far better for us to take necessary steps towards restructuring now rather than waiting until we no longer have options,” King said.
The museum also announced that it will be cutting staff in the next couple of months but will continue to rent the space for events.
“This decision does not come without significant pain because it will affect our team of extraordinary and deeply dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to fulfill the museum’s mission,” King said.
Tom Kasten, chair of the museum’s board of trustees, said that he is confident that “in years to come, this will be seen as a pivotal chapter in the museum’s journey.”
“The museum’s mandate is as vital now as ever, and our current goal is to design a sustainable model that not only preserves but amplifies its impact,” he added.
