Yerba Buena Center For the Arts

When I started writing this review, I rated The YBCA 4-​stars. Then, as I thought about what I would include, I realized it absolutely deserved 5-​stars.
Despite being a smaller museum than I expected, the YBCA impressed me with its use of space. Exhibits were well-​curated and amazingly relevant. I was moved to the point where I took pictures (something I only do on very rare occasions) of a few pieces of artwork.
Other notable points include:
— books by exhibits you could read inside the museum
— live performances in the main hall
— general Yerba Buena area; the gardens are beautiful, there are plenty of places to eat, and other things to do

Definitely not good for kids. We can’t believe they actually charge you for entrance.

Wonderful, well-​organized, if small gallery of modern, politically-​engaged art. Not very expensive to get in ($ 10 normally, $ 8 for students and teachers), with about four large galleries to go through. I remember all of them making an impression– from the parody music video advocating for trans rights and racial equality to the 3D printing of gun components to the wall of posters of victims of police brutality to the mock museum art imagining what would have been if Obama had closed Guantanamo Bay… it was all really excellent, really impactful, really inventive. This is art that does something, acts in the world. It’s an inspiring place, in a great part of the city for exploring, relaxing, and eating good food.

It was a rainy day after finishing up the Jewish museum and was told this was a great museum as well. Honestly, I didn’t think too much of it. I haven’t seen this place at it’s best but there was only two small exhibits (one was a video streaming political news bits) and another one on the gold rush. They were interactive and couldn’t take good photos. Best thing was that ticket was free. I would have felt more ripped off if I had to pay cause there was so little. There’s an exhibit set to open a week after I left and the lower floor is being renovated. I’ve heard great things about the museum so I’m sure there were at times much more. A real pity I didn’t get the chance to see much more, I wouldn’t have minded paying a nominal fee to see some great exhibits. Maybe another time is better to see Yerba Buena, not now!

A friend and I were passing by, and we noticed a sign saying that their gallery was free today. So we decided to check it out. The front desk explained that the main gallery was closed for installation, but the galleries upstairs were available to be explored.
We were asked to check out backpacks in and we were on our merry way upstairs. We were excited because we had never been there before and wanted to see what they had to offer.
The curator upstairs approaches us, and begins to explain the display we were looking at, we even explained that we had no idea what it was about but we were excited to learn about it. She spoke for a little bit more, and then suddenly stops mid-​sentence and says «you’re not even listening, maybe you’re better off exploring on your own and reading the descriptions yourselves», and before we could say anything she walks away from us.
How unbelievably rude. We decided to leave after that; we went back to the front desk downstairs to claim our bags, and we shared what had just happened. And from above, we see the curator shooting dirty looks at us. The only redeeming thing was that the receptionist at the front desk was friendly, funny, and overall pleasant; she was awesome, she even apologized for the curator upstairs «…I’m sorry for that, maybe she’s having a bad day». Unfortunately, more than likely we’re never coming back after that experience.

I never felt that I was quite cool or hip enough for SF and Yerba Buena is the epitome of all that is cool and hip.
And the perfect destination for an art seeker on a Thursday afternoon after a few exhausting days of conferencing. From my understanding, there are no permanent exhibitions here, which meant the spirit of change is part of the atmosphere at all times. Thursday nights at Yerba Buena is free and the exhibition at the time was Radical Presence, featuring some of the most thought provoking media forms and subjects which makes you ponder about the artists’ thoughts, your own reactions to it, and other subconscious relationships and feelings you have about them.
Unique and thought provoking, the essence of art.

It’s always an adventure to walk inside the YBCA. The building itself by Fumihiko Maki is a wonderful place, perfect for the organization’s mission. Over the years I have come to expect the unexpected and to be filled with a sense of wonder and delight at YBCA. I cannot say that this is a given for every single exhibition but nearly so.
My favorite exhibition /​installation at YBCA was the «Listening Post» created by Mark Hansen and Ben Rubin. I saw it first at the Skirball in Los Angeles and when it arrived in the Bay Area I could not resist an encore.
There are several YouTube videos of Listening Post, but none of them captures the atmospheric excitement of the piece. It’s just impossible because it was an environment with extraordinary spatial and acoustic properties. Add to that it all took place in a dark room, with only the LED displays illuminating that space. All of these things are impossible to represent with any degree of fidelity on YouTube.
The spirit of creative exploration seems to infuse most art that often comes to YBCA. Robotics is one example, and on one occasion in particular it was the work of Alan Rath, who always has an excellent eye for his electronic constructions.
If Jean Tinguely were alive today he would be showing his work at YBCA.

Great place to go for a quick dip into the arts.

YBCA houses some pretty weird art concepts. It freaked me out a little because I’m not used to seeing such abstract things, but it’s definitely somewhere I would take out of town guests if they wanted to check out a local museum. There is so much to see in all the rooms and on all the floors. You can spend a good hour or two here.
Some other things to note… ladies need to check in their purses at the front desk, and YBCA would be a great space for a special event! I have not yet checked out the theater, but I really want to see a performance here. Like with any museum, I could have coincidentally visited during an awesome season, but I would come back here (probably on a Free Admission First Tuesday) to check out more of the art pieces.

Check online before you arrive to see what exhibits are showing. Some will speak to you more than others, so just keep that in mind. They host free admissions on Tuesday, and also have discounts, so that is a nice perk for visiting.
With my experience, I would say that art exhibits are what you make of it. Take time to try and let it speak to you and move you. There is something you can learn or discover within every exhibit.

I used to frequent the MoMA but because its still in construction, I finally went in here on a free day. Most of the exhibits were still in construction so there were only 2 – 3 rooms to see. But hey, it was free can’t complain. The exhibits were pretty interesting the place feels fairly empty though. Some of the interaction installations were also broken. Would be filling to give it another try when everything is open and paid admission.

I have to admit that every performance is the best, but that isn’t the point! The venues are great places where artists are supported and allowed to really express themselves. We mostly go for modern dance performances and have not been disappointed yet.

On first Tuesday of each month, they have free admission and thank goodness I didn’t pay for this art gallery… Well if you can even call it that… Vancouver art gallery is pretty small but this was far worse.
They had some weird photos of random messy beds framed, a copy of knitted designer purses, and not much else. Don’t spend your money here if paying to get in but worth the look on free days just to see.
Outside is much Keller than what is inside the glass building
Value ³⁄₅ only cause it was free otherwise ¹⁄₅
Atmosphere ³⁄₅
Service ²⁄₅
Quality ¹⁄₅
⁹⁄₂₀

It’s a handsome space. Great galleries, good light. The few times I’ve been here, though, the exhibits were too outré for my taste and sensibilities. Especially the videos which are often performance art. Weird, in my opinion. I know, Art is subjective. I don’t live far from this neighborhood and find myself over here on occasion. Perhaps on my next visit, I’ll be able to give a higher rating.

Great space with great things to see!

I finally came here for an ODC modern dance ballet performance, and this is a really great venue for the Arts. We had seats in the Orchestra and the view of the stage was perfect. Acoustics are good and check in is easy. They could use a few more restroom stalls as the line gets quite long for the ladies (but what’s new, right?). I will definitely be back for more performances very soon!

This is an amazing art space and event venue. If you’re in the area, drop in and check out the exhibits. On a nice day, you should also swing over and have lunch in their garden or just roam the center grounds. I attended a work event here and had a blast — cool facilities.

The YBCA is always changing, which is pretty awesome. I was lucky enough to venutre into their latest exhibit, Dissident Futures, opening weekend and I have to say I was pretty impressed. The YBCA has commissioned some very well-​timed art about what to do with the old Bay Bridge (turn it into a giant hydropnic farming community), future and stem cell regeneration, and strange possibilities for the future. Even someone with almost zero artistic background could appreciate these exhibits that seem to appeal more to science fiction types without being pretentious (I’m looking at you, Paul Laffoley).
Also, they have the most awesome setpiece in their background. It reminds me of Studio Ghibli meets Little Shop of Horrors. Swing by and see!

Amazing exhibit. Very relevent to our times. I would subtitle the main floor exhibit: How a country was sold out from under the People or Collapse of a Super Power (USSR)

Went after Cartoon Museum on Fri 4÷12÷13 to kill time. It’s a bigger museum with a bunch of artwork.
Showing now: Without Reality There Is No Utopia — I didn’t read most of the captions so it was just ok for me. Lots of work from artist from Spain, Colombia, etc. We could take photos — no FLASH. I liked the artwork with the tractor trailer with fake fruit spilling out all around it. Zhou Xiaohu «The Crowd of Bystanders» — neat handmade ceramic diormas was interesting.
Shih Chieh Huang: Synthetic Seduction — Upstairs his artwork is neat. Lots of homemade gadgets with lights that air that blow up & show off bright lights that look like sea creatures. I liked his work.
Worth a visit if you really like art I guess or to kill time.

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA). I remember hearing the news about its formation in the late-​80s-​early-​90s. An arts complex with a park, museum, outdoor stage, theatre, fountain and a park where people could relax. I knew of an engaged couple who were getting married at St. Patrick’s (across the street, next to the Contemporary Jewish Museum) who were very sure the park would be in existence by the time of their wedding. (NOT!)
Next to the YBCA is the Metreon, the home of the new Target store, a City Target as well as Sanraku, Cako, a food court with various eateries, and the AMC Metreon.
Here is the 411 on Yerba Buena Center for the Arts:
I have sauntered through the park to go to SF MOMA, the CJM, Moscone Center, the Metreon, and to various establishments within the proximity. I walked through the fountain dedicated to the late Dr. Martin Luther King; remembered being in awe looking at the photos and the text about him.
I have visited the museum a couple of times on free days. The last time I was there, much of the exhibits were dedicated to the local occupy movement and abstract works by various artists. I regret to say I was not too impressed with what was being exhibited at the time. I am overdue for a return revisit.
The Lam Research Theater (formerly known as the Novellus Theater) is a state of the art modern theater. Straight, simple clean lines. This theater relies on modern computer technology in setting the miss-​en-​scene (mood, lighting, background) of what ever is needed.
I was amongst a group of students who were invited to watch the final dress rehearsal of Opera Parallèle’s production of AINADAMAR by the composer Osvaldo Golijov performing this weekend, February 15 – 17. It was good fun watching a dress rehearsal and observing the goings-​on before the official opening in making sure everything runs smoothly like clockwork.
So the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts has something for everybody here: a park, a museum, a theatre, outdoor theatre, a fountain, and the Metreon. Centrally located within the shopping meccas, the museums, and within the Financial District.
Fresh Review #23 of 100 Unilocal!for 2013.

The staff were incredibly unhelpful the last time I was here. Nobody seemed to know anything about the exhibits, let alone what they meant or embodied.
The layout felt very disjointed and in the end I felt like I was being snickered at by hipsters with bad haircuts.
Lots of really abstract art and video when I was here. The museum itself was pretty nondescript building wise. I much prefer the de Young.
If you’re interested in coming but aren’t sure it’s your cup of tea, wait until the first Tuesday of the month, when admission is free. Also, the MoMa is nearby in case you are underwhelmed.

Thanks to my love affair with my DVR I now watch television commercials only twice annually: Super Bowl Sunday and the British Television Advertising Awards (now called the Arrow Awards) currently screening at YBCA.
The Arrow Awards screening gives me a reason to go to YBCA which, I can’t seem to make a priority at any other time of year. Their programming and installations are international, diverse, and interesting but other than the Arrows, nothing just screams at me as a must see.
I don’t know whether this is legit, but each time I’ve gone to YBCA for a screening I’ve also been able to walk through the art/​installation gallery at no additional expense which makes for a very reasonable deal. It’s a big, airy gallery, with lots of installations and performance spaces (but no permanent collection). Both times I’ve been they’ve featured artists from outside North America (currently featuring artists from India, in multiple disciplines). Their whole offering is a little different — a little less «accessible» to the masses and a little more challenging than art at, say MOMA — but that’s not to say it’s not good or worthy. It is.
Within the gallery their «docents» take the approach of engaging patrons not by explaining the art but rather by questioning them on what the art says to them, or what they think it’s about, which can lead to some interesting dialogue. If you like (or think you might like) being challenged by art in many different disciplines, pick a film off their calendar then follow up with a wander through the gallery. The whole experience is somewhat outside the box but it’s nothing to fear.

Yerba Buena Center of the Arts really strives to produce innovative, relevant, and accessible shows on the regular.
From profound dance performances, to retro 70’s video art installations, to thought provoking abstract art — the Yerba Buena Center of the Arts is continually in touch with their audience and seeking to grow and challenge them.
If you’re looking for something to do on the weekend — it’s always well worth seeing what Yerba Buena Center of the Arts has going on. From a series dedicated to dialogue provoking Bay area 70’s adult movies to recycled art — Yerba Buena is always utilizing their space in a consistent and creative way.
Their exhibit openings are always fun affairs and you can expect a hip stylish diverse crowd, as well as solid music and performances throughout the evening.
Yerba Buena Center of the Arts recognizes local and developing art around us and beyond us. I’m thankful I’m so close this establishment and have always enjoyed my encounters with this space.
Trust.

Neat!