SOZO is an incubation space for multidisciplinary artists and creative producers to create new work and scale their impact in the Bay Area and beyond. We champion artistic innovation as a force for social transformation through four programmatic areas:

1. Portfolio of BIPOC Artists and Projects
We offer strategic counsel, new work development and touring support for a curated portfolio of visionary artists and projects. SOZO’s multi-platform and multi-year initiatives like The Just and The Blind and Love Heals All Wounds have uplifted marginalized communities including system-impacted youth. Current productions, EARTH.SPEAKS and Phoenix Paradox, are led by BIPOC artists, engaging intergenerational communities in co-creation. Our approach is artist-centered, relational, and impact-driven—anchored in deep partnerships that advance social change.

2. Fellowship and Educational Initiatives
Through programs like the SOZO Fellowship, we offer artist coaching, business resilience training and sustainability tools tailored to independent artists. Piloted in 2024 the SOZO Fellowship attracted over 450 applications from emerging and mid career artists, majority of whom were BIPOC and gender diverse. Working in close collaboration with experts in health, wellness, finance and startup, we are designing a rigorous framework that reframes artist labor and sustainability.

3. SOZO+ Partnership Services
SOZO+, our creative producing arm, delivers impact producing and curatorial services for arts institutions, businesses, brands and mission-aligned partners. From multi-year productions to program design, we specialize in strategic artistic and cultural solutions for organizations and businesses that center equity, artistic innovation and community accountability.

4. Fiscal Sponsorship
A small but growing service, fiscal sponsorship is for artists and organizations aligned with our mission. In some cases, partnerships lead to deeper collaboration and co-production opportunities. Current sponsees include leading-edge Bay Area and California BIPOC-led entities like Alphabet Rockers, Ride Out to Vote film-making collective, and a new AR project by artist Peter Flaherty.