Hospitality House Community Arts Program

Founded in 1967, Hospitality House is a progressive, community-based organization located in San Francisco’s Tenderloin and Sixth Street Corridor neighborhoods that provides opportunities for personal growth and self-determination to homeless people and neighborhood residents. Our mission is to build community strength by advocating policies and rendering services which foster self-sufficiency and cultural enrichment.

Our five programs collectively provide a range of services, including shelter, housing support, case management, harm reduction-based mental health and substance use services, employment resources, a community organizing and leadership development program, and a one-of-a-kind community arts program.

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY ARTS PROGRAM

Since 1969 (two years after Hospitality House was founded), the Community Arts Program (CAP) has provided a free-of-charge fine arts studio for community artists who lack access to creative resources due to poverty and homelessness. The program provides artistic access, instruction, exhibition and sales opportunities while providing low-threshold, peer-based support in accessing services that contribute to personal stability. Activities include:

Weekly Open Studio Hours –The studio is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1pm to 6pm and Tuesday and Thursdays from 10am to 3pm. During this time, artists create in a variety of media including painting, drawing, clay, silk screening, computer-generated art, and other forms. Staff provides professional guidance and instruction, and the community setting offers opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and support.

Art Workshops – Hospitality House provides a variety of staff and volunteer-run workshops, including creative writing, silkscreen, ceramics, digital editing, airbrushing, framing, and sewing. Presented in an accessible format, the workshops engage both long-term and new artists.

Exhibition & Sales Opportunities - The program's comprehensive exhibit schedule allows for projects to be showcased at our own storefront gallery as well as at many local galleries, businesses and auctions during the year, especially in conjunction with Central Market Arts District events. Artists keep the proceeds from sales of art, except for Hospitality House’s two annual fundraising auctions where they split proceeds with the studio.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW AT THE COMMUNITY ARTS PROGRAM

In November 2010, the CAP moved temporarily from its original site on Leavenworth Street to the storefront space at the Luggage Store Gallery on Market Street while its space was being renovated.

Given that this temporary location is part of the emergent Central Market Arts District, the CAP has achieved success beyond all expectations. In the past year:

• Art sales tripled – This year, artists sold $5,059 worth of art, up from $1,615 last year. Artists keep 100% of the sales of artwork.

• Attendance at art openings increased exponentially – Receptions brought in 300 people, compared to 60 people at the Leavenworth Street gallery.

• Art viewing quadrupled - Foot traffic on Market Street resulted in an average of 20 people per day stopping to view the art in the windows, in comparison to the 5 people per day on Leavenworth Street. A number of these walk-ups resulted in sales.

• Exhibitions opportunities increased - CAP has been asked by neighborhood businesses and organizations to exhibit art in their spaces – including Huckleberry Bikes, San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and Flax Art. This is a direct result of the CAP’s visibility in this location and our participation in the Central Market Arts District development.