KSW makes artists out of community members and community members out of artists. For the past 54 years, KSW has nurtured the creative spirit, offered an important platform for new voices to be heard, and built artistic communities grounded in the San Francisco Bay Area. We prioritize racial justice and healing, prioritizing art that expands liberation for all people. We act as an incubator for emerging AAPI artists, placemaking in the Soma neighborhood of San Francisco where we are based, and connecting arts & culture to broader solidarity movements for societal change.

​KSW’s core programs include:
Programming includes:
APAture: multidisciplinary arts festival showcasing 50+ emerging AAPI artists to an audience of 1,000+ throughout SF. APAture has helped launch the careers of notable luminaries like Ali Wong, Hasan Minhaj, and Barbara Jane Reyes.
Interdisciplinary Writers Lab (IWL): A 3-month, multi-genre master class for local BIPOC writers. Emerging writers are challenged to develop their skills. Participants build community and have their work published in an anthology. We also host other educational programs throughout the year.
AVA (Asian American & Pacific Islander Visual Artists) Lab: A cohort-based program of 10+ visual artists led by Brava Executive Director, artist and community healer Kim Acebo Arteche. Driven by needs assessments, showcasing art, and mentorship, artists also learn about financial planning and how to prioritize wellness/community care. The experience culminates in a cohort-led exhibition and a retreat.
* Visual Arts Exhibitions: KSW presents 4+ exhibitions each year at the Arc Gallery, where we are co-located and responsible for co-managing.
KSW Presents: A cross-genre reading series showcasing writers such as Jenny Odell, Cathy Linh Che, CA Poet Laureate Lee Herrick and many more. Highlights intersectional topics re: diaspora, queerness, and belonging. Alongside these established writers we feature community writers who have had little stage time or few publications.