Consisting of five membership groups, the Auxiliaries raise funds that support the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco’s goals. This includes the coordination of Bouquets to Art, one of the Museums’ largest annual fundraisers, in addition to smaller initiatives and social gatherings throughout the year.

San Francisco Auxiliary of the Fine Arts Museums

The San Francisco Auxiliary of the Fine Arts Museums was founded in 1941 by Helen de Young Cameron, with the clear purpose of raising funds for the de Young and Legion of Honor. Although we are called the San Francisco Auxiliary, there is no requirement that one must live in San Francisco. In fact, members live throughout the Bay Area. 

Every year, the San Francisco Auxiliary produces Bouquets to Art, one of the Museums’ most cherished and successful annual fundraising events. During its one-week run, Bouquets to Art draws tens of thousands of visitors to the de Young to view the more than 100 floral installations inspired by artworks in the permanent collection. 

Through this event, the San Francisco Auxiliary has donated more than $7.5 million to the Museums, which has helped fund special exhibitions, conservation projects, and educational programs. To learn more about this event, watch What is Bouquets to Art?, featuring FAMSF Docent Maureen Murray Fox. 

Members of the San Francisco Auxiliary make financial and time commitments to Bouquets to Art. They bring their special talents to the various elements of producing and publicizing the event and enjoy special perks in the process. General meetings allow for behind-the-scenes opportunities, including lectures by museum curators and private docent-led tours of special exhibitions. In addition, and as a thank-you for the Auxiliary’s support, the Museums invite members to attend opening-night events for some of the hottest special exhibitions.  

Suburban Auxiliaries: Belvedere-Tiburon, East Bay, Hillsborough, and Ross

The Suburban Auxiliaries range in size from 50 to 140 members, with members who reside in specific geographic areas. These groups support museum activities by volunteering during Bouquets to Art, underwriting lectures, and making independent donations to the Education department and other museum programs. Each of the Suburban Auxiliaries has its own requirements for membership, but all share the mission of supporting the Museums’ goals. Requirements for membership include maintaining a current membership in the Museums, attending business meetings, and paying dues to the respective Auxiliary in the amount of $75 to $175 annually. The Suburban Auxiliaries meet throughout the year to participate in docent tours at the Museums, tours of private art collections, luncheons, presentations, and more.   

To learn more about becoming a member in any of the Auxiliaries, please email us at sffamauxiliaryinfo@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

The Achenbach Graphic Arts Council (AGAC) connects you directly with one of America's most significant collections of works on paper. The internationally acclaimed Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts is home to over 90,000 prints, drawings, photographs, and artists' books from the 15th century to today.

Your membership directly funds new acquisitions, innovative exhibitions, essential conservation work, and educational programs. Together, we preserve this remarkable collection for future generations while enjoying exclusive opportunities to deepen our appreciation for these cultural treasures.

Member benefits

Curated exhibition experiences — Receive invitations to private exhibition openings and specialized tours led by curators at the Museums and other venues, providing unique insights into the creative process and stories behind the artworks.

Artist studio access — Experience creative processes firsthand through visits to artists' studios and fine art printers for demonstrations of artistic techniques.

Expert-led educational programs — Attend workshops, lectures, seminars, and panel discussions developed by Achenbach curators for all levels of interest, from casual enthusiasts to dedicated scholars.

Rare book collection access — Participate in members-only programs featuring the Reva and David Logan Collection of Illustrated Books, home to many of the 20th century's greatest artists' books.

Collector community — Connect with a diverse community of art lovers, patrons, and professionals who share your passion through lively social mixers, networking events, and collaborative projects in the graphic arts.

Art travel opportunities — Join AGAC trips exploring graphic arts beyond the Bay Area, expanding your horizons and experiences.

Annual meeting — Attend our yearly gathering at the Legion of Honor, featuring curator reports, board updates, and presentations of recent acquisitions.

Membership levels

Member: $250

• Curator-led group tours of select FAMSF exhibitions

• Group visits to Bay Area galleries, museums, artists’ studios, and presses

• Option to participate in AGAC’s travel program

• Periodic bulletins and newsletters

• Annual membership meetings

Contributor: $500

• All of the above, plus:

• Priority admission to limited-attendance AGAC events

Advocate: $1,000

• All of the above, plus:

• A behind-the-scenes tour of the Achenbach’s historic collection of works on paper, including the paper conservation lab

• Priority notice for the AGAC travel program, which may include tours of private collections

Patron: $2,500

• All of the above, plus:

• Letters of introduction to two works on paper departments at out-of-area museums

• An informal consultation by a curator providing general advice on starting or building your private collection, or an informational consultation with a paper conservator on best practices for displaying and preserving your private collection. Note: Your private collection must be located within 60 miles of the Legion of Honor for an in-person consultation; otherwise, the consultation will occur remotely.

AGAC annual membership renewals occur on the anniversary of the month a member joined; the current dues schedule will apply to each member’s next membership renewal. Each AGAC membership level provides benefits for the member plus a guest. FAMSF membership is required.

Join now

Complete this form to join the AGAC and begin receiving emails about upcoming member events.

Contact info

Phone: 415.750.3676
Email: agac@famsf.org
Follow us: Facebook and Instagram

The Ancient Art Council (AAC) supports the ancient art department. Membership is open to all who care about the preservation and promotion of the antiquities and culture of the ancient Mediterranean and Near East. The program is varied and includes lectures by noted archaeologists, curators, and historians; exclusive tours of the permanent collection and special exhibitions; and travel to other museums and ancient sites. 

Member benefits

• Free or discounted admission to AAC programs

• Email alerts and calendars of AAC events, including lectures, symposia, and conferences by noted archaeologists, museum curators, and ancient art historians

• Invitations to AAC fundraising events

• Travel programs to other museums, special exhibitions, and private collections

• Invitations to events hosted by related organizations

With premier gallery space, growing collections, and expanding public programs, the arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas (AOA) have become integral to the Museums’ interpretive framework. These unique holdings reflect the Bay Area’s passion for diverse cultural and artistic traditions. Their breadth and quality places them among the top collections in US art museums.

We invite you to become a member of the Friends of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas (FAOA), a support group that gathers together collectors and others devoted to these arts (with noncommercial interests) to aid the Museums in meeting strategic goals for collection development, staffing, and special exhibitions. Members of our group include serious collectors of tribal or ancient art, those with an interest in these fields, and those who are interested in developing their knowledge in these areas

By joining FAOA, you can increase our momentum and actively advocate for the art of these collections. Most of all, you will have the satisfaction that comes from supporting AOA art in San Francisco, asserting its importance, and ensuring that the Museums continue to have exciting and pioneering AOA exhibition programs.

There are four membership levels to choose from. Please note that current membership with the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco is required.

Member benefits

• VIP invitations to exclusive exhibition previews and opening receptions year-round, and FAMSF-hosted events during the annual Tribal & Textile Art Show in San Francisco

• Invitations to special programs, lectures, symposia, and luncheons with visiting scholars and collectors

• Listing as a Friend in the Fine Arts member magazine

• Complimentary FAMSF exhibition catalogues

For more information, please contact:

Christina Hellmich
chellmich@famsf.org
Curator in Charge, Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas and the Jolika Collection of New Guinea Art

Hillary Olcott
holcott@famsf.org
Assistant Curator, Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

The San Francisco Ceramic Circle (SFCC) is a museum affiliate group of pottery and porcelain collectors and others interested in ceramic art. The SFCC supports the Museums’ ceramic collections with a program of lectures and assists with funding purchases for the collections.

SFCC lectures on ceramic topics augment talks by museum docents and provide an excellent way to learn about this art form. SFCC lectures are given by ceramic specialist curators, collectors, and dealers and are held on Sunday mornings at the Legion of Honor. Lectures are free with museum entry.

The SFCC sponsors two annual social events where members can meet in informal settings and organizes special events, including seminars and ceramic collection visits.

Member benefits

• Access to year-round lectures by preeminent scholars of ceramics 

• Invitation to a summer social and our annual “Pot Night”

The Textile Arts Council (TAC) is a curatorial support group of the Museums’ department of Costume and Textile Arts. TAC is dedicated to broadening the scope and appreciation of the Museums’ textile and costume collections, and pursues its mission through lectures, studio visits, tours, workshops, and programs. Bringing together enthusiasts, artists, and scholars, TAC fosters a vibrant community that celebrates the diverse and inspiring world of textile arts.

Member benefits

• Access to monthly textile programs at free or reduced admission rates

• Advance notice of special day-trips sponsored by TAC to collectors’ homes, artists’ studios, and galleries

• Opportunities to travel with TAC on extraordinary international journeys developed especially for those who love textiles.

• Early notice of hands-on textile workshops

• Invitations to our Member Party and exclusive exhibition receptions featuring guided walk-throughs

• Semiannual newsletter featuring TAC programs, news, and textile-related calendar listings

• Monthly e-news with advance announcements of TAC programs and other local textile events

• Access to our archive of lecture recordings (starting from September 2020)
  

Your membership makes a difference

Your support helps TAC grow and expand its reach while celebrating the vibrant world of textiles.

Enrich — Contribute to the TAC Endowment Fund to acquire new artworks for the Museums’ textile collection.

Preserve — Support the vital work of the Textile Conservation Lab to preserve FAMSF’s textile collection for future generations.

Inspire — Help bring engaging and innovative speakers to our Saturday Lecture Series.

Educate — Strengthen the educational gallery and Textile Study Center for continued learning and exploration.