[4][5] Revelations—the Diane Arbus retrospective organized by San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in 2003—inspired the purchase of the Pilara Foundation’s first photograph, a portrait from her "Untitled" series.

In recent years, the Foundation has collected more emerging photographers in depth, developing holdings that reflect evolving practices within the medium.

In May 2023 Sotheby's New York held an auction entitled "Pier 24 Photography from the Pilara Family Foundation Sold to Benefit Charitable Organizations".

100% of the proceeds from the auctions of Pier 24 Photography from the Pilara Family Foundation Sold to Benefit Charitable Organizations will provide direct benefit to critical programs and research that will impact communities in need.The Larry Sultan Visiting Artist Program is a collaboration between Pier 24 Photography, California College of the Arts and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art created in honor of the influential Bay Area photographer and educator, Larry Sultan.

They also work with graduate students at California College of the Arts, mentoring them in the studio and taking them on citywide fieldtrips.