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From SFAI

Celebrating 35 Years in 2020!

By January 9, 2020 June 8th, 2020 No Comments

Hello 2020!

Since 1985, SFAI has supported over 5,000 artists and creative practitioners and provided meaningful programming to over 30,000 community members. We have been reflecting on the history of our institution over the last 35 years, and while our programming, our language, and our focus has naturally shifted over the years, our mission remains the same: to foster and explore the interconnections of contemporary art and society, to enliven public discourse on art, and to encourage artistic exploration and experimentation.

Our vision for 2020 and beyond is rooted in our belief in the power of art to shape society. We know that positive change must be grounded in the values and commitments we uphold, and our commitment to accessibility is an integral aspect of diversity and inclusivity, in all that we do. SFAI’s monthly events, residency, and fellowships continue to nurture artists and creative practitioners, of all disciplines and at all phases of their careers — particularly socially engaged, Indigenous, Black, artists of color and other marginalized, and underrepresented artists. They are our focus as we activate the Midtown Site in 2020 and envision its future.

To celebrate our anniversary, we have launched a new website and exciting new programming such as the SFAI Alumni Trips (SFAI-AT), that will introduce curious travelers and art lovers to our socially engaged alumni from around the world, starting with Greece and Colombia! Applications are open for the 2021 Revolution Thematic Residency, the 2020 Story Maps Fellowships applications will open later this month, and we have exciting events planned, including our Labor Launch on January 23!

We honor all of those who have helped to build SFAI over the last 35 years — directors, staff, trustees, donors, local, national, and international artists and creative practitioners of all disciplines, volunteers, community organizations, and our local community members!

Thank you for being a part of our SFAI community. We would love to hear from you! Please help us link to our larger community by adding your name or an anecdote below!