The San Francisco Cartoon Art Museum has shuttered its doors at the Beach Street location in Fisherman’s Wharf. Management announced the closure this past Sunday, marking the end of a chapter for the institution after 42 years of operation. The museum cited a sluggish financial recovery from the pandemic as the primary reason for not renewing its lease.
The decision follows a difficult period for the museum, which moved to its current 8,000-square-foot brick building in 2016. That move came after the organization was priced out of its previous space on Mission Street when rental costs doubled. Since its establishment, the museum acted as a home for over 9,000 original works including comic strips, magazine cartoons, and concept sketches.
This closure also happens just weeks after the arrest of former curator Andrew Farago. Authorities apprehended Farago in June on allegations of secretly filming people in a private bathroom during a party. The museum placed him on leave immediately upon learning of the situation and subsequently terminated his employment.
Executive Director Summerlea Kashar stated the museum is not necessarily gone for good, though no specific plans for a new location are set. The organization intends to use this time to reset and figure out its future path. The museum previously served as a hub for school tours and educational classes in the city. Staff encouraged the community to continue supporting the organization as they work through the transition period.