Collection
Collection at the Museum of Performance + Design
The Museum of Performance + Design collects and makes accessible materials about the performing arts, with a special emphasis on documenting and preserving the San Francisco Bay Area’s rich and diverse performing arts heritage from the Gold Rush to the present.
We provide library services to researchers, and preservation and archival services to performing artists and arts institutions. Our collection includes personal papers of prominent artists, original costumes and design renderings, audio-visual recordings of live performances, original artwork, other artifacts and ephemera.
The Museum serves as the official archive for San Francisco Ballet and holds archival records of San Francisco Opera, Stern Grove Festival, and the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival.
Research Hours: Wednesdays 1:00pm-6:00pm* (All other times by appointment only.) Appointments can be arranged by calling 415.741.3531 or by sending an email to info@mpdsf.org to check availability.
*Space is limited. Appointments strongly recommended to ensure the materials you wish to view are available.
Research Request
Please allow up to two weeks for a response. If you do not receive a reply within two weeks please call us at 415-741-3531.