Comprising over 3,000 works of art, the collection's focus is on modern and contemporary art and includes painting, sculpture, photography, drawing, printmaking, video, digital, and installation art produced during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

The museum's major holdings are California-based, highlighting such movements as California Scene Painting, Early and Mid-Century Modernism, Bay Area Figuration, Assemblage, California Light and Space, Pop Art, Minimalism, and Installation Art. The museum's international holdings are a growing area of the collection, featuring works of art that provide a meaningful context with which to experience the art of our times.

Bauer and Wiley Architects was commissioned to redevelop the non gallery spaces including a multipurpose area where lectures could be held, and an outdoor screening area. MLA designed the acoustics and audio visual systems for these areas. The project design team was honored with a Calibre Team Award in 2005.