SLOMA Expansion

If you stop by one of SLOMA’s First Fridays receptions, artist talks, or public art unveilings, it’s clear that we’ve become more than an art museum: we are the cultural heart for San Luis Obispo County’s thriving arts community. SLOMA is a place that buzzes with the electric energy that comes with discovering the beauty of possibility—a place where art matters because this community matters.

With an eye-catching (and selfie-worthy!) wraparound mural, SLOMA’s current location at 1010 Broad Street has become a landmark for the arts in SLO—but our popularity has outpaced our capacity. The building hasn’t seen a major renovation or addition since 1984, and it simply isn’t equipped to handle the influx of visitors in the manner consistent with our standards.

That’s why we’re launching a $20 million capital campaign designed specifically to meet the growing needs of our organization and bring people and art together in the heart of Downtown SLO. Join us as we bring art, culture, and the electric energy SLOMA is known for to our new facility on Higuera Street.

Imagine a museum as dynamic as the art it holds. JOIN US TODAY.

Tour the New SLOMA!

Campaign Q & A

Where is SLOMA's new home?

SLOMA's New Home on Higuera: map of downtown slo

Located at 778, 782, and 786 Higuera Street, the existing façade is well known to locals: The Network and two adjacent buildings have housed restaurants, clothing stores, and art galleries over the years. With access via the bustling Higuera Street sidewalk as well as the creekside patio and walkway, the new location is primed to attract more visitors than ever before while serving as a portal into SLO’s arts and culture corridor.

Why don’t you rebuild the museum on site?

After completing a feasibility report in 2023, we found that demolishing our existing facility and rebuilding to meet the operational needs of the organization would come at far too high a cost. Repurposing an existing structure will cost half as much as a completely new build and has the added bonus of breathing new life into a historic structure in the heart of downtown.

What will the campaign support?

Funds raised in the capital campaign’s two phases will empower SLOMA to renovate, lease, and eventually purchase the three-building development, resulting in:

Over 5,000 square feet of exhibition space (3x our current exhibition space)
Climate-controlled galleries, artwork storage, and preparation space
Flexible multi-use spaces and creekside patio for event rentals and expanded public programming and services
Fully accessible public and staff spaces

What will happen to SLOMA's current building?

SLOMA’s current facility at 1010 Broad Street will be retained and become a dedicated Education Center, allowing the reintroduction of past youth programs like summer camps and after-school classes, as well as offering expanded youth and adult programming to meet the growing needs of San Luis Obispo County’s arts and education community.

What impact will this have on the community?

At the Higuera Street location, SLOMA will be well poised to serve as a visible and accessible portal into SLO’s burgeoning arts and cultural corridor, infusing the economic vitality of arts and culture tourism into the core of Downtown SLO.

In a sea of restaurants and retail stores, the museum would help rebalance Downtown SLO, introducing a spark of creativity to the economic core
SLOMA has the potential to significantly add to SLO County public finances with increased visibility and traffic. In 2024, arts and culture visitor activity contributed more than $6.7M in transient occupancy taxes and $1.5M in local sales taxes (per the 2025 Economic Impact of Arts & Culture Report).
The museum’s presence in the heart of Downtown SLO can promote the cultural scene, attract a wider demographic of shoppers and visitors, and further realize the long-held downtown development plan, in concert with our cultural corridor partners

How will SLOMA change?

Our mission will not change: we will always be a place for our community to come and be inspired, to create, and to find deeper insight and connection. Expanding SLOMA means expanding the services and programs you’ve grown to love, including:

More amazing exhibitions featuring visuals artists from around the corner and around the world
More free public art programs
Bringing back our summer art camps for kids
Hosting art classes and workshops for patrons of all ages to find their artistic voice
Expanded programming to county-wide audiences