We believe that culture is an essential catalyst for change. Therefore, it’s the responsibility of arts institutions to spur and support societal movement. Our mission is to generate culture that moves people.

Arts & Culture , Children & Youth , Performing Arts Centers , Youth Development Programs

YBCA's mission is to generate culture that moves people, and it does this through four key strategies that place artists as central figures in this work and reflect a commitment to equity and justice. Ecosystem development, focused on growing the Artist Power Center and its impact. The Artist Power Center is a digital platform and staffed supportline launched initially to help artists and cultural workers navigate emergency relief and designed to continuously evolve its forum and resource center to help artists build long-term careers. The online platform allows artists to share knowledge, exchange resources and opportunities, advocate for what matters, and create connections across sectors to strengthen the creative community across the United States. By advancing policy and thought leadership, building strategic partnerships, and convening key stakeholders, it is designed to change the way we think about investing in the arts and build new pathways for artists and arts workers. Through our work with the San Francisco Arts Alliance, the Mayor's Economic Recovery Task Force, and the Governor’s Jobs and Business Recovery Task Force, YBCA is a conduit between government and the artist community to ensure the future of the arts. As the first arts organization to join the Well Being Alliance, a group of 26 leading national organizations, we advance arts and culture into a holistic well-being and the conditions that are necessary for everyone to live safe, healthy, and connected lives. Additionally, YBCA continues to bring artists to the table at convenings, as in the case of SOCAP 2020, where a cohort of artists from across the country joins YBCA at the biggest impact investment conference in the world. Supporting artists who are having impact in their communities, by expanding and deepening our connection to these artists through our Senior Fellows program, film residency, and work with CultureBank. YBCA’s Senior Fellows are Brett Cook and Liz Lerman, artists, educators, and community builders who use visual and performing arts as drivers of social and cultural change. The San Francisco Urban Film Festival will spend two years in residency at YBCA, reimagining a film program that centers community voices and storytelling to bring people together around issues of urbanism. CultureBank invests in artists who are in service to their communities, building prosperity in communities traditionally left behind by financial institutions. Executing program and public offerings that builds from a core group of artists and is rooted in a virtual and physical public engagement strategy. As part of its YBCA 100 framework, YBCA is committing to a group of artists that involve the public in the process of creating and iterating works over the course of a year that address racial, climate, economic, and health justice. Additionally, YBCA will offer physical and digital program offerings within a public art series, neighborhood-based art commissions, and online conversations and experiences.

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) is a public benefit corporation located in the most culturally diverse region of the United States. The organization's work spans the realms of contemporary art, civic engagement, and public life. YBCA knows that culture is essential for positive change. Therefore, it is the responsibility of arts institutions to spur societal movement. YBCA believes the best way to do this is by supporting artists as thought leaders, innovative problem-solvers, expert communicators, and catalysts of inspiration in our communities. YBCA is redefining the role an arts institution can play in empowering all citizens to shape their future.

San Francisco Bay Area