By Cheryl Lin
This fall, GRC partnered with one of San Francisco’s most iconic cultural institutions, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). Led by project manager Jasmine Bao, consultants Josie Hsieh, Pranay Banka, Sanjan Kanajanavar, Ashley Peng, and Venus Dhanda took on the challenge of reimagining the museum’s retail strategy.
Located in the heart of San Francisco’s arts district, SFMOMA houses one of the world’s leading collections of modern and contemporary art. Beyond its renowned exhibitions and educational programs, the museum’s store plays a crucial role—serving as a key revenue source that helps sustain SFMOMA’s mission of making art accessible to all. In today’s evolving retail landscape, this museum store, like many others, faces the challenge of balancing profitability with its artistic and cultural mission.
To address these challenges, the team developed a three-pronged approach to improve the store’s presence. After analyzing trends across museum retail and social media, they crafted detailed social media mock-ups and UI/UX recommendations to boost digital engagement. Their work also included deep dives into web profitability metrics and exploring innovative partnerships with potential brands and artists. Through targeted market research and competitive analysis, the team shaped recommendations that would establish SFMOMA’s store as a major player in the museum retail space.
While the strategy was comprehensive, the team dynamics played an equally crucial role in the project’s success. As Jasmine navigated the learning curve of being a first-time project manager, her team’s enthusiasm and drive quickly shone through. “My team is very creative,” Jasmine notes. “They’d go above and beyond, coming up with ideas I hadn’t even thought to ask for.” Through shared experiences like museum visits and team meals, the consultants developed a collaborative spirit that sparked creative solutions, from detailed mockups to innovative partnership proposals. Regular team meetings provided opportunities to share insights and build on each other’s ideas, resulting in deliverables that exceeded initial project scope.
Looking ahead, the team’s strategies position SFMOMA’s store to adapt and thrive in an increasingly digital retail environment while maintaining its cultural significance. “Historically, museums rely on their gift stores to financially support operations and educational initiatives, especially given the decline in public funding,” Jasmine points out. “By working with their retail segment, we’re able to create an impact within the art and cultural preservation space.” Through this project, GRC once again proves what drives us forward: tackling challenges that matter, creating meaningful social impact, and building future leaders who will do the same.
No responses yet