Tenderloin Museum

Tlm offers an average of one program each week that illuminates the Tenderloin's fascinating history and involves its vibrant community in exploring and interpreting its roots at the intersection of art, history, and community. Tlm is a multi-faceted Museum and repository of cultural memory that respects, welcomes, and cultivates diversity in all its forms. Founded in 2015 and located within a dense and robust network of activists, artists, social service workers, and clients, tlm actively creates opportunities of solidarity for Tenderloin residents to become involved, individually and institutionally. Tlm frequently features its neighbors as performers, visual artists, authors, or speakers. (see schedule o for full statement)

The Tenderloin Museum is the first of its kind to celebrate the rebelliousness, diversity and spirits of the Tenderloin neighborhood which has long been-and continues to be-a safe space for history's outcasts. Positioned at the intersection of art, history, and community we explore and amplify the untold stories of a long-marginalized neighborhood. The strong engagement of the Tenderloin community is at the core of tlm's vision and practice. In this way tlm is unique. There is simply no other organization in san francisco working with art, culture and history centered on and in the Tenderloin.

Founded in 2015 and located within a robust network of activists, artists, social service workers, and low income residents, tlm is a multi-faceted cultural Museum and repository of cultural memory that respects, welcomes, and cultivates diversity in all its forms. Core programs include: permanent Tenderloin history exhibitions rotating gallery space for tenderloin-centric artists and works weekly public programming that explores the Tenderloin through the intersection of art, history, and community. (please see schedule o for full statement)

Few working-class neighborhoods remain in san francisco. The Tenderloin is home to some of san francisco's highest populations of low- and moderate- income people, lgbtqia+ individuals, and racial/ethnic minorities - more than 30% of the area's residents are foreign-born and the majority are non-white. Tlm brings the stories of these residents and their predecessors to life through exhibitions, performance, and events. Through our dynamic programming, we exalt communities that have long been put down and marginalized; benefit the lgbtqia+ and racially/ethnically diverse communities; and create discourse on themes surrounding urban studies, gentrification, marginalization, and lgbtqia+ history. We engage and partner directly with the communities of the Tenderloin in planning, producing, and presenting these programs. In this way, we have earned the trust of our neighbors in representing their history and stories with the care and respect they deserve. We take it as a great honor to serve as an amplifier for the trials, tribulations, titillations, and truths of the Tenderloin to san francisco and beyond. By providing a permanent and welcoming space for programs to occur we are a reliable and accessible destination for locals and visitors to discover the beauty of this neighborhood. Destigmatizing the Tenderloin and its vibrant community is tlm's top priority. Our work ensures that tourists and residents learn about the deeper cultures and histories of the neighborhood and continue to be inspired to co-create lasting vibrancy in this neighborhood.