After nearly 17 years of operation, Altman Siegel Gallery in San Francisco will close its doors next month. In an announcement issued on October 15, founder Claudia Altman-Siegel pointed to the challenging art market as the driving force behind the gallery’s decision to close.
“Given the current climate, it has become increasingly difficult for a gallery of our size to grow,” Altman-Siegel expressed. “It is with both pride and sadness that I announce the gallery will close on November 22, rather than compromise on our commitment to displaying innovative and meaningful artwork.”
“Despite the relentless nature of the art market, the essence of this endeavor has always been about fostering ideas, building community, and sharing joy,” she emphasized.
Altman-Siegel established her namesake gallery in 2009 after moving from New York City to the West Coast. Prior to founding her gallery, she dedicated a decade to Luhring Augustine Gallery, where she advanced from security personnel to co-director.
In downtown San Francisco, Altman Siegel earned a reputation for promoting works by emerging and mid-career artists from both the Bay Area and beyond, showcasing talents like Shannon Ebner, Lynn Hershman Leeson, Trevor Paglen, Koak, Grant Mooney, and Zarouhie Abdalian. The gallery was recognized for its varied programming that embraced both contemporary and traditional art forms—a quality noted by local curator and writer Natasha Boas, who remarked that the gallery was engaged in “the most urgent dialogues coming from the Bay Area.”
“Platforms like Altman-Siegel are rare in San Francisco, and may soon be scarce in the broader art world, which is increasingly transactional. Their absence will be profoundly felt,” Boas stated.
Over the years, the gallery underwent various expansions and relocations. In 2016, it moved from its original location in the Financial District to the Dogpatch neighborhood, and last year it inaugurated a new exhibition venue in Presidio Heights.
“Every new chapter allowed the gallery to take creative risks and adapt alongside the evolving practices of our artists,” Altman-Siegel remarked. “Now, after 213 exhibitions and art fairs, it is time to say goodbye.”
Tokyo-based artist Shinpei Kusanagi, a long-time collaborator with the gallery, will be featured in its final exhibition, titled It is not far to the sea. This show opens tomorrow and is scheduled to run until November 15, just a week before the gallery officially shuts its doors.
“The loss of Altman Siegel Gallery will be felt deeply in our community,” remarked San Francisco-based art advisor Lizanne Suter. “Claudia and her dedicated team have always been fully committed to the artists they represent and their creative journeys.”
The closure of Altman Siegel coincides with a troubling trend of galleries shutting down, reflective of a decline in the global art market. Throughout this year, the U.S. has seen a series of closures, including Blum in Los Angeles, Venus Over Manhattan in New York, and Clearing in both locations, while Almine Rech also announced its exit from its 11-year-old London space earlier this month.
“It’s disheartening to see such a respected gallery close its doors,” said Jessica Silverman, founder of her namesake gallery in San Francisco. “Claudia will remain a cherished friend, and I eagerly anticipate new collaborations with her in the future.”
