Ever wondered where San Francisco’s most groundbreaking artists get their start? That place is Southern Exposure. This nonprofit art space has been a Mission District haven for emerging talent since 1974.
Southern Exposure started as a cooperative gallery. It was linked to Project Artaud, a community where artists lived and worked. In the 1980s, Southern Exposure shifted its focus. It became a space to support artists who were just starting out.
Southern Exposure’s exhibitions are special. A committee of artists from the community selects the work. Each year, they hold a juried exhibition with an open call. Respected curators from around the world have curated these shows.
One of Southern Exposure’s main goals is to help artists thrive in the Bay Area. Their Alternative Exposure Grant program provides funding. It supports unincorporated groups and art spaces. It also helps websites, collectives, and events that promote artists’ work. The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts partners with Southern Exposure on this grant. Together, they give away over $65,000 each year.
Former Executive Director Courtney Fink launched the Alternative Exposure program. She joined Southern Exposure in 2003 and left in 2015. Since 2006, Southern Exposure has also supported public art projects around San Francisco. These projects bring art outside the gallery walls.
Southern Exposure’s Artists in Education program is impactful. It offers art education to hundreds of underserved youth every year. The Mission Voices Summer program is a free, four-week intensive arts experience for teens aged 14-19. It allows them to explore social and personal issues through visual arts. Local professional artists work with the teens. They create visual arts projects around a contemporary theme.
Southern Exposure also makes art accessible. Their annual Monster Drawing Rally is a fun event. They also hold auctions and sell limited edition artworks. In 2020, Southern Exposure even served as a polling location. This aimed to improve civic engagement.
Southern Exposure remains dedicated to visual artists. It is committed to being an accessible space. It is a place to produce, present, learn, and connect. The group exhibitions and parties are legendary. The juried art shows draw respected curators. If you want to see the future of art in San Francisco, Southern Exposure is the place to be. It is a goldmine of emerging talent.