SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA.- The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art celebrated a major milestone in its expansion into the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo on July 7, welcoming donors, cultural partners, and community leaders for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of its future home at 786 Higuera Street, the former Network Mall and the adjoining Johnson building.

The event offered guests a first look at the remarkable transformation underway as the buildings evolve into SLOMA's new headquarters, bringing the community one step closer to a vibrant new cultural destination with more than triple the space for exhibitions and public programs.

Museum leadership, including SLOMA Board Co-Chair Ermina Karim and Executive Director Leann Standish, shared updates on the Museum's ambitious two-phase, $21 million capital campaign. During the event, Standish announced that SLOMA has raised $15.75 million toward its overall campaign goal, including $9.8 million of the $11 million needed to complete Phase One—an important milestone that keeps the project on track for its planned Summer 2027 opening.

Phase Two of the campaign, which will fund the purchase of the new facility and establish a long-term operational endowment, also continues to gain momentum. To date, SLOMA has raised $4.75 million toward this effort, including a transformative additional $1.5 million gift from the Harold J. Miossi Charitable Trust bringing the Trust’s total investment in the project to $3M.

To help close the remaining gap for Phase One, campaign supporters Annie Mohler and Bill Moseley announced a $500,000 Challenge Grant that will match community giving through October 1.





“There's such great energy downtown right now, and it's so fun to be part of it. Every time I walk past Higuera Street and see the crews at work, I have to pinch myself a little — this is really happening,” said Standish. “And it's happening because of this community: our neighbors, our donors, our incredible project partners. We're about a year out from opening, and I can't wait to throw those doors open and welcome everyone in."

Guests at the July 7 tour also received a first look at a new virtual rendering of the completed museum, created by RRM Design Group. The interactive walkthrough offers a preview of the galleries, public gathering spaces, and educational facilities that will soon serve the community.