Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Empowering Youth Through Arts Education in San Francisco
Founded in 1965, Performing Arts Workshop has dedicated over five decades to equalizing access to arts education for underserved youth in the Bay Area. Our BIPOC-led organization partners with Title I schools, transitional housing facilities, and juvenile halls to deliver transformative programs in music, dance, theater, and visual arts. With a team of experienced Teaching Artists, we serve over 2,000 students annually, prioritizing immigrant youth and communities impacted by systemic inequities.Our Geneva Powerhouse venue in San Francisco's District 11 provides a cultural hub for creative expression while supporting youth development through play-based learning and identity-affirming curricula. As pioneers in arts education, we maintain rigorous anti-racist policies and community care initiatives, ensuring our programs remain accessible and impactful for generations to come.
Services
Youth Art Programs
Event Rentals
Artist Residencies
Community Workshops
Cultural Venue
Anti-Racism Training
Creative Expression Classes
Performance Space
Arts Education
Youth Development
Details
- Year established: 1965
Highlights and features
- We have 58 years of experience in Bay Area youth arts education
- Our programs serve over 2,000 students in Title I schools annually
- BIPOC-led organization with strict anti-racist policy frameworks
- Community care initiatives support both youth and teaching artists
- Geneva Powerhouse provides dedicated cultural space in District 11
Services
Youth Art Programs
Our youth art programs combine creative expression with socio-emotional learning through music, dance, theater, and visual arts instruction. Teaching Artists work directly in classrooms to develop critical thinking and media literacy skills while affirming student identities. Programs specifically prioritize immigrant youth and LGBTQIA+ communities through culturally responsive curricula.
Geneva Powerhouse
This historic 1901 brick venue serves as an arts and culture hub for District 11 communities. The space hosts performances, exhibitions, and community events while supporting youth programs through rental partnerships. Features include performance areas, rehearsal spaces, and community gathering areas designed to showcase local artists and student work.
Artist Residencies
Our Seismic Shift Artist Residency commissions 1-2 community-centered artists per cycle with full support including stipends, rehearsal space, and performance opportunities. The program emphasizes local artists creating work that reflects Black, Indigenous, and communities of color experiences through both artistic development and community engagement activities.
Anti-Racism Initiatives
We maintain comprehensive anti-racist frameworks through our dedicated Anti-Racism Committee and Community Care Collective. These initiatives include policy development, accountability processes, and staff training programs designed to challenge systemic inequities while creating equitable access to arts education and cultural resources for all participants.
Community Rentals
The Geneva Powerhouse offers rental space for events, exhibitions, and performances with special rates for District 11 residents. Rental income directly supports youth arts programs while increasing community access to cultural facilities. The venue accommodates various event types with specific policies ensuring safety and accessibility for all users.
People
Gloria Unti
Founder
Visionary dancer and educator who established the organization in 1965. Developed innovative teaching methods that transformed youth arts education through creative expression and critical thinking development.
Ahsha Safa
Former Supervisor
Former San Francisco District 11 Supervisor and longtime supporter of youth arts programs. Advocated for community investment in cultural resources and educational equity initiatives.
Questions
What youth programs are available?
We offer arts education in music, dance, theater, and visual arts through school partnerships and community programs serving over 2,000 students annually.
How can I rent the Geneva Powerhouse?
Submit a rental form through our website. Priority rates available for District 11 residents and artists with special requirements for equipment and permits.
What anti-racism initiatives exist?
Our dedicated Anti-Racism Committee develops policies and accountability frameworks to ensure equitable access and community representation in all programs.
How are donations used?
Contributions support youth arts education, venue maintenance, and community programs. Donors receive recognition and cultural event access based on contribution level.
What venue features are available?
The historic space includes performance areas, rehearsal rooms, and community gathering spaces with ADA-compliant facilities and technical equipment options.
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