Dates & times
All times are local to the venue · America/Los Angeles
- 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Real Artists Wear Black at SFMOMA: Danielle Krysa questions career myths
A day job does not disqualify an artist, and neither does learning outside a formal program: those are two assumptions Danielle Krysa will examine in her SFMOMA conversation. The Nov. 15 session pairs a reading from her 2026 book with discussion of beliefs that can narrow artists’ career choices.
Career advice starts with asking who counts
Krysa’s examples—a belief that serious artists should not have day jobs, and the claim that self-taught makers are not “real” artists—make the conversation about more than finding a formula for success. They raise questions about who gets recognized as an artist and which routes into a creative practice are treated as legitimate.
She will read from Real Artists Wear Black: And Other Lies About Being Creative, then discuss myths that can hinder artists’ careers and strategies for moving past them. The afternoon format includes audience questions and an invitation to share assumptions visitors have encountered or believed, making the exchange relevant to people at different stages of a practice.
Further reading: Real Artists Wear Black with the Jealous Curator · SFMOMA ↗
A perspective across art, writing and curating
Krysa writes about contemporary art through The Jealous Curator, a site established in 2009, and has curated shows across North America. She is also a mixed-media artist whose work is held in private collections worldwide. That range of roles gives the discussion several grounded points of reference without suggesting there is only one way to build a creative life.
Her books include Creative Block, Your Inner Critic Is A Big Jerk and A Big Important Art Book – Now with Women, as well as the children’s titles How To Spot An Artist and Art and Joy. Real Artists Wear Black was released in October 2026. Krysa has spoken at TEDx, PIXAR and Creative Mornings, and appeared in Oprah.com video segments about creative blocks and self-doubt.
Further reading: Real Artists Wear Black with the Jealous Curator · SFMOMA ↗
The morning program gives children the advice-giving role
The Doctor Is In: Kids’ Answers to Your Art Problems with the Jealous Curator is a separate family program, not the first part of the afternoon talk. At 11 a.m., Krysa will read How to Spot an Artist and moderate a Q&A in which children help adults consider creative blocks and where to begin. Paper and drawing materials are provided for brainstorming and note-taking.
The family program is listed as free and open to the public, with no museum admission required. Its schedule runs 11 a.m.–noon; the afternoon talk is scheduled for 1–2 p.m., leaving an hour between the two sessions. SFMOMA recommends the talk for audiences 16 and older, but does not state that as an admission restriction.
Further reading: The Doctor Is In: Kids’ Answers to Your Art Problems with the Jealous Curator · SFMOMA ↗ · Real Artists Wear Black with the Jealous Curator · SFMOMA ↗
Two programs, two approaches to creative advice
The morning family session turns the usual direction of advice around: children help adults talk through creative blocks. It is separately scheduled from Krysa’s afternoon discussion of beliefs that can shape artists’ careers; the programs are not one continuous event.
Sunday, November 15, 2026 · Floor 2, Koret Education Center
- The Doctor Is In: Kids’ Answers to Your Art Problems with the Jealous Curator. Danielle Krysa reads How to Spot an Artist and moderates a Q&A in which children help adults think through creative blocks. Paper and drawing materials are provided; the program is free and open to the public, and museum admission is not required.
- Real Artists Wear Black with the Jealous Curator. Danielle Krysa reads from her book, discusses myths that can hinder artists’ careers and strategies for moving past them, and takes audience questions.
Plan your visit
Sunday, November 15, at SFMOMA
The talk is scheduled for 1–2 p.m. in the Koret Education Center on Floor 2 of SFMOMA, 151 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94103.
Free; RSVP encouraged
SFMOMA lists the talk as free and encourages an RSVP. Seating is first come, first served; the listing does not say that an RSVP guarantees a seat. The talk’s listing does not specify whether general museum admission is required. The separate morning family program is also free, and its listing explicitly says museum admission is not required.
Real Artists Wear Black with the Jealous Curator · SFMOMA ↗ · The Doctor Is In: Kids’ Answers to Your Art Problems with the Jealous Curator · SFMOMA ↗
Recommended for ages 16 and older
This is SFMOMA’s recommendation for the afternoon talk, not a stated admission restriction. Younger audiences are encouraged to attend the separate 11 a.m. family program.
Real Artists Wear Black with the Jealous Curator · SFMOMA ↗ · The Doctor Is In: Kids’ Answers to Your Art Problems with the Jealous Curator · SFMOMA ↗
Accessible seating and advance requests
Accessible seating is available. To request ASL interpretation or another accommodation, email [email protected] at least 10 business days in advance. SFMOMA says it will do its best to fulfill requests but does not guarantee them.
Getting to SFMOMA
Event location and entrances
The event is in the Koret Education Center on Floor 2 at SFMOMA, 151 Third Street. The visitor entrance is at 151 Third Street. SFMOMA’s arrival guide identifies the Joyce and Larry Stupski Entrance on Minna Street for after-hours or education events, but the talk listing does not specify which door to use for this event.
The museum is a few blocks from Montgomery Street BART and other public transportation. Use the map link to calculate directions from your starting point.
Real Artists Wear Black with the Jealous Curator · SFMOMA ↗ · SFMOMA · Visitor's Guide ↗ · Getting Here · SFMOMA ↗
Garage parking
SFMOMA’s garage is at 147 Minna Street and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Published rates are $4 per 30 minutes, $26 for up to 10 hours, or $35 for up to 24 hours.
The museum lists a 25% discount for members and 10% for nonmembers, with validation at the Haas Jr. Atrium on Floor 1. Discounts apply only to the first 3.5 hours; after that, the garage lists a flat $26 rate for up to 12 hours. If the garage is full, SFMOMA names the Yerba Buena Garage at Fifth and Mission and the Moscone Center Garage at 255 Third Street as nearby alternatives.
Before you make a plan
Do I need an RSVP for the afternoon talk?
SFMOMA encourages an RSVP, but seating is first come, first served. The listing does not say that an RSVP guarantees a seat.
What time does the talk end?
SFMOMA’s event metadata schedules it through 2 p.m.; the session begins at 1 p.m.
Is the talk suitable for younger audiences?
SFMOMA recommends the afternoon talk for ages 16 and older, but does not state this as an admission restriction. Younger audiences are encouraged to attend the separate family program at 11 a.m.
Real Artists Wear Black with the Jealous Curator · SFMOMA ↗ · The Doctor Is In: Kids’ Answers to Your Art Problems with the Jealous Curator · SFMOMA ↗
What happens at the family program?
Danielle Krysa reads How to Spot an Artist and moderates a Q&A in which children help adults think through creative blocks. Paper and drawing materials are provided; the program is free and museum admission is not required.
The Doctor Is In: Kids’ Answers to Your Art Problems with the Jealous Curator · SFMOMA ↗
Can I request an accessibility accommodation?
Accessible seating is available. Email [email protected] at least 10 business days ahead to request ASL interpretation or another accommodation; SFMOMA will do its best to fulfill requests but does not guarantee them.
Location & Google Maps
Floor 2, Koret Education Center, SFMOMA
151 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.