Opening in 2025, the Courage Museum is designed to build a world in which violence is not an inevitable part of the human experience.
An immersive experience that encourages visitors to imagine a world without violence, hate, and discrimination.
A bold new platform for public education, inspiration, and action. The museum will engage visitors in a learning journey towards the possibility of a world in which violence is not an inevitable part of the human experience. It will be a place where individuals are informed and equipped with tools to rethink violence and advance concrete change.
Entry Gallery: A two-way mirror presents messages from past visitors and invites new visitors to see themselves in the movement to end violence.
Empathy Mirrors: In this intimate gallery, visitors engage with storytellers who share their personal narratives of adversity, discrimination and resilience. Through empathetic listening and interactive questions, visitors consider their own capacity for courage and action in the face of adversity and discrimination.
Change of this magnitude takes courage — as well as a roadmap.
Whether onsite or online, visitors will experience the integration of science, empathy and activism as they move through the installations. Through real, intimate, and collective experiences with compelling storytellers, visitors will be encouraged to consider the variety of ways in which courage can fuel their own actions to advance positive change in their schools, communities, and society at large.
Change of this magnitude takes courage — as well as a roadmap.
Whether onsite or online, visitors will experience the integration of science, empathy and activism as they move through the installations. Through real, intimate, and collective experiences with compelling storytellers, visitors will be encouraged to consider the variety of ways in which courage can fuel their own actions to advance positive change in their schools, communities, and society at large.
Empathy Mirrors: In this intimate gallery, visitors engage with storytellers who share their personal narratives of adversity, discrimination and resilience. Through empathetic listening and interactive questions, visitors consider their own capacity for courage and action in the face of adversity and discrimination.
Knowledge alone is not enough. The Courage Museum is where we will take action.
Its four anchor installations – “Bearing Witness,” “ReThink,” “Empathy Mirrors,” and “Change Is Real” – explore the science and biology of violence; the connections between violence, discrimination, poverty, race and gender; the transformational impact of empathy; and the everyday actions we can all take to prevent violence.
Change is Real Gallery: Celebrates the forward momentum and impact of change makers among us: courageous individuals, luminaries, everyday heroes, and survivors who have fought against violence.
MISSION
Located on the Main Post of the Presidio National Park in San Francisco, the Courage Museum will put public land to use for a public service: ending the public health crisis caused by violence, and the hate that fuels it. The Courage Museum is a design lab for the deep, transformative human change needed to prevent violence before it happens.
NEWS
Photo Credit: Devlin Shand and Drew Altizer for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Devlin Shand and Drew Altizer for Drew Altizer Photography
LOCAL PROJECTS
In partnership with renowned museum designer Jake Barton, founder of the experience design firm Local Projects, whose recent projects include the 9/11 National Memorial and Museum in New York City, and the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama.
LEAD INVESTORS
Patricia Lee-Hoffmann
Blue Shield of California Foundation
Emily Scott
Allstate Foundation
Jonathan Logan Family Foundation
Mark Hayes
San Francisco Giants
Women Moving Millions
Wendling Family
Koret Foundation
Joyce Newstat and Susan Lowenberg
Deborah Santana
Arjun and Diana Divecha
William Hirsch and Betsy Crabtree
JaMel and Tom Perkins
Elizabeth and Alan Dye
Nancy Eccles and Homer M. Hayward Family Foundation
The Hellman Family Foundation
Vintner’s Daughter
Margaret Simpson and Douglas Booth
Ford Foundation
Ryka
Micki Klearman
Susan Leal and Susan Hirsch
Harwell Godfrey
Connie and Kevin Shanahan