In 1989, Haigood opened Zaccho Studio, a 4,200 sq. ft. cultural hub in Bayview-Hunters Point (BVHP). One of San Francisco’s largest dance studios, Zaccho Studio is a year-round space for rehearsals, performances, educational programs, and community events and gatherings. The studio provides discounted rentals for BVHP neighbors, Bay Area nonprofits, and dance/performing arts organizations.

For 45 years, ZDT has specialized in an innovative body of work recognized worldwide. Zaccho Dance Theatre (ZDT) is a professional company that creates and presents performance work that investigates dance as it relates to place. Artistic Director Joanna Haigood collaborates with an extraordinary group of diverse artists to create unique and innovative performances, elevating the work to international acclaim. Haigood’s work pursues unique and challenging visions of dance, including spectacular aerial choreography, evocative site-specific performances, and culturally significant subject matter.

Since 1990, Zaccho has partnered with local organizations and SFUSD to offer our Youth Performing Arts Program (YPAP), a free, world-class, arts education program for Bayview youth. YPAP has served approximately 6,800 youth, ages 9-17.

Zaccho Youth Company, founded in 2002 as an extension of YPAP, was developed for students interested in training more seriously, performing more frequently, and considering dance and the arts as a potential career path.

Since 2010, the Artist-in-Residency Program provided artists with stipends, rehearsal space, mentorship, production and marketing support, and community engagement opportunities. We expanded the AiR Program with support from the Dream Keeper Initiative (2021-2026), to include The Black Futures AiR Fellowship and the Hip Hop Artist Residency & Training Program, the latter in partnership with PUSH Dance Company.

Launched in 2014, the SF Aerial Arts Festival presents world-class aerial performances, talkbacks, and community engagement events. Since 2016, SFAAF has been co-presented by the Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture. SFAAF has served 330 artists to date.