The museum building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Before becoming an art museum, the site served as the main U.S. Post Office for San Jose until 1933.
The institution features a glass-covered bridge that links the original 1892 wing to the 1991 modern wing.
The collection includes works by Dorothea Lange, a photographer renowned for her documentary work in California.
SJMA maintains a specific focus on the intersection of digital technology and traditional fine art mediums.
The building's architecture features distinct sandstone arches characteristic of Henry Hobson Richardson's style.
The San Jose Museum of Art (SJMA) is a contemporary visual arts institution situated in a historic 1892 Romanesque Revival building originally serving as the city’s post office. The museum focuses on West Coast art and innovation, highlighting regional artists alongside international contemporary works. Its permanent collection features over 2,500 pieces, including significant holdings in photography, painting, sculpture, and new media. The institution is known for its rotating exhibitions that frequently address social issues and technical change in Silicon Valley. Its galleries are housed within both the original post office structure and a modern wing added in the early 1990s. The museum frequently partners with regional educational programs to offer workshops and community-led events.
The interior glass bridge connecting the historic sandstone building to the modern wing.
Check the museum's online exhibition schedule before visiting to see which temporary galleries are currently being installed.
The museum is highly accessible via pedestrian plazas in the downtown core.
Visit the shop located in the lobby, which features curated works and goods from local San Jose artists.
Assuming the full museum can be viewed in under an hour, as the multi-level layout and rotating media installations require more time.
Closed on Mondays and major holidays.
No flash photography in gallery spaces; avoid touching artwork; large bags must be stored in provided lockers.
