Let's combine Don Fisher's museum, new SOTA site

Don Fisher – Gap founder/mogul, philanthropist and modern art collector – has dropped his plan to create a museum for his world-class art collection in San Francisco’s Presidio, after years of opposition from various segments of the activist community.

Well, I have my areas of disagreement with Fisher, who has (undoubtedly with sincere good intentions) donated lots of money to what I view as education fads. But the man wants to share his collection with the world, and it’s sad to see his critics looking for self-serving ulterior motives. Couldn't every great museum and symphony hall ever created have been shot down on the same basis?

Now a fellow parent has an idea for Fisher: Those who follow San Francisco school issues know that there’s a long-term plan – with lots of money set aside for it – to create a new campus for San Francisco School of the Arts, our district’s acclaimed public arts high school (I have one child there and another who just graduated, Class of ’09). Though various options are sometimes proposed for a new facility in the Civic Center arts district, the longtime predominant plan would renovate a block of SFUSD-owned buildings at 170 Fell/135 Van Ness into the new SOTA facility.

My friend’s suggestion is that Fisher sign on as benefactor and create a facility that incorporates his modern art museum. Two key advantages over the Presidio site would be central location and transit-friendliness. Another is that the site is adjacent to the hipster-friendly Hayes Valley gallery/restaurant scene (which didn’t even exist when that location was first being discussed for SOTA). What’s not to like?

If Fisher decides to go for this idea, I’m ready to get the SOTA community on board. What better way to combine his two passions, arts and education? How about it, Mr. Fisher?


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