Our core youth and community programming is free to increase accessibility to the arts. High school programs in disciplines like architecture, fashion design, film photography, music production, and printmaking include after school studio classes, in-school residencies, summer intensives in the arts and architecture, and paid summer creative workforce internships. We also have a Youth Advisory Board, teaching assistantships, and alumni internships. Our programs provide a safe third space for youth to explore themselves, build positive relationships, develop a foundation in the arts, connect to cultural traditions, and make San Francisco thrive. Within our new arts centers, we have expanded program offerings to include younger students and more adult activities too.

We have strong ties and connections with the communities of our core constituency, particularly in underserved areas of San Francisco. Our priority for low income youth and youth of color to shape their city has led to several notable public projects including youth designed and built parklets, public art projects such as murals, installations, creative disruptions, and events. We have convened the annual San Francisco Youth Arts Summit for 15 years to bring together youth artists and arts educators across the Bay Area for creative exchange and community building. We have an active role in arts advocacy and the representation of youth artists in San Francisco. Integral to our work is the experience of the artists who teach in our programs. We value their ability to further their own practice, both in partnership with their students and through residencies, public projects, exhibitions, and exchange with other artists.

Through youth programming, exhibits, public projects, our annual participatory (415) Public Gallery, events, adult classes and community workshops, we serve 600+ enrolled youth, 30 artists, and 7000+ audience members per year.