The San Diego Museum of Art is celebrating its 100th anniversary throughout 2026, commemorating a century of cultural leadership while unveiling ambitious plans for its second century. Originally established as the Fine Arts Gallery of San Diego, the institution opened its doors on February 28, 1926, with a collection of precious international artworks assembled by inaugural director Reginald Poland. Today, the museum houses over 39,000 objects and welcomes more than 550,000 visitors annually, representing nearly fivefold growth in attendance since 2010. The centennial milestone serves as both a reflection on past achievements and a launchpad for a transformative expansion designed by the internationally acclaimed architecture firm Foster + Partners.
The museum's founding exhibition set a high bar for artistic excellence, featuring a 12th-century Spanish illuminated manuscript, masterpieces by El Greco, Velázquez, and Murillo, French Impressionist works, and the Spreckels family's collection of 104 bronze sculptures by Arthur Putnam. The institution's first acquisition, Joaquín Sorolla's 1907 oil painting "Maria at La Granja," remains a cornerstone of the collection. Contemporary accounts from 1926 describe the public response as a "wave of happiness," reflecting the community's enthusiasm for establishing a world-class arts institution in Southern California. The building itself, constructed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, was renamed the San Diego Museum of Art in 1978 and has become an iconic landmark in Balboa Park.
Under the leadership of Executive Director and CEO Roxana Velásquez since 2010, the museum has pursued an aggressive acquisitions strategy while deepening community engagement. Velásquez, who previously directed three major museums in Mexico City, has added over 6,000 pieces to the collection, focusing on strengthening holdings in Spanish Old Masters and filling critical gaps. Major acquisitions include Jusepe de Ribera's 1615 painting "Susanna and the Elders," Lucas Cranach the Younger's 1540 "The Nymph of Spring," and John Singer Sargent's 1892 "Portrait of John Alfred Parsons Millet." The 2023 merger with the Museum of Photographic Arts incorporated more than 10,000 photographic images, while the museum's touring exhibition program has traveled to institutions across the United States, Canada, and Asia.
The most significant development for the museum's future is the planned west wing expansion, which aims to double the institution's gallery space and modernize its facilities. The new wing will feature state-of-the-art storage vaults, a theater, digital art galleries, and diverse dining options including a grab-and-go market and upscale rooftop restaurant. The design preserves the outdoor sculpture garden while removing restrictive fencing to create a more accessible public space with a free arts education center. Over 25 percent of the fundraising goal has already been secured, with construction scheduled to begin in late 2027. The project addresses critical space constraints, as current galleries can only display 10 to 12 percent of the permanent collection.
Four major exhibitions will anchor the centennial celebration, running from January through September 2026. "SDMA 100 Years" presents archival photographs and historical footage documenting the museum's evolution, including its wartime service as a hospital. "Local Visions: Reimagining the Facade" features contemporary interpretations by ten regional artists, while "Cafés and Cabarets: The Spectacular Art of Toulouse-Lautrec" showcases fifty works from the renowned Baldwin Collection. "Forging a Legacy: 15 Years of Landmark Acquisitions" highlights major purchases under Velásquez's leadership. An ongoing display of architectural renderings for the new wing allows visitors to preview the museum's future.
The official centennial birthday fest on February 28, 2026 will offer free admission, hands-on art activities, live entertainment, and a community booth fair from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Throughout her tenure, Velásquez has prioritized accessibility through initiatives like the MySDMA Partnership with the San Diego Public Library, providing free weekly art programs at the City Heights branch. The museum also hosts a year-long residency for the San Diego Ballet and regular performing arts events. As Velásquez emphasizes, the centennial represents both celebration of remarkable history and a bold declaration of commitment to keeping art accessible for all San Diegans in the century ahead.
