The city provides the context for the visually packed work of San Francisco native Barry McGee. Since the mid-1980s, when McGee was a teenager, he has lived in the city’s oldest neighborhood, the Mission District. At that time, the Mission held a colorful, somewhat seedy, antiestablishment atmosphere with a thriving culture of youth, alternative musicians, artists, and thinkers. The vibe of the Mission influenced the artist early on, and he began to infiltrate the area’s flourishing graffiti boom with images that he created to reflect his surroundings.

Sundays with the Modern offers unique perspectives on the Museum’s architecture, permanent collection, and special exhibitions. Artists, art historians, critics, writers, and architects hold conversations and lead tours in the galleries. This special program is free and begins at 1 pm on the first Sunday of most months.

Docents are available to lead a public tour of the Modern’s building, designed by the renowned architect Tadao Ando, on the first Saturday of each month at 11 am. This tour does not require prior arrangements and is free with the price of admission.

Docent-led tours in Spanish are offered at 2 pm on the first Sunday of each month, when gallery admission is free. These tours are open to the public and do not require prior arrangements.

Docents are also available to conduct private tours in Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, and American Sign Language when reservations are made at least two weeks in advance.