San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles, San Jose

Located in the heart of Downtown San Jose’s SoFA (South First Area) Arts District, the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles (SJMQT) is the first museum in the United States dedicated entirely to quilts and textiles as a recognized form of art. Founded in 1977 by the Santa Clara Valley Quilt Association under the name American Museum of Quilts and Related Arts, it has grown into a vibrant center for textile-based creativity and cultural dialogue.

Originally based in Los Altos, the museum underwent several relocations before settling in its current 13,000-square-foot home in 2005. It officially became a nonprofit public benefit institution in 1986 and adopted its present name in 1998. Over the years, its collection has expanded from 19th- and 20th-century quilts to include more than 1,500 items—thanks in part to major acquisitions like the Porcella Collection of Ethnic Textiles and the Marbaum Collection donated during its 40th anniversary.

The museum’s exhibitions explore how people from diverse cultures use textiles to express identity, history, and political thought. Shows range from solo exhibitions by Bay Area fiber artists to international surveys that spotlight the intersections of tradition and modern technology in fiber art. One notable exhibition in 2018, Guns: Loaded Conversations, organized by Studio Art Quilt Associates, addressed the complex theme of gun violence through the medium of quilts.

In addition to its exhibitions, the museum maintains a research library with over 500 volumes focused on textile history and techniques. By blending tradition with innovation, the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles continues to champion the evolving narrative of textile art across generations and continents.