As a pioneering Arts Complex In San Francisco's Mission District Project Artaud is one of San Francisco’s leading artist communities, housing four performance spaces and 10+ creative non-profits. We are also home to an inter-generational enclave of creative leaders–over 80 painters, sculptors, designers, photographers, filmmakers, writers, musicians and performers. 

It is a member-run, member-supported non-profit organization. In 1971 our founding members rehabilitated and converted a factory and city block built in 1924 to create housing and studio space, artists’ resources and community. Today a multi-generational group of members guide this organization forward, still relying on the volunteer participation of the membership to keep Project Artaud a thriving place.

Project Artaud, 499 Alabama St, San Francisco, CA 94110, is a pioneering arts complex in San Francisco’s Mission District, for artists of all disciplines: visual artists, dancers, actors, writers, filmmakers, and arts presenting groups. It is a member-run, non-profit organization, providing support for artists and arts activities, and a model of how artist communities can be shelters for artisans and resources for a city.

In 1971, the founding members purchased, rehabilitated, and converted a 100,000 square foot factory and the city block on which it resides to create affordable housing, studio spaces, artists’ resources and a community in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District. They named this colony Project Artaud, in the spirit of Antonin Artaud (1896-1948) who believed art should be made in non-traditional spaces. From its inception, the mission of Project Artaud has focused on providing sustainable spaces for artists to live and teach the principles of their craft, to develop the appreciation of literary, dramatic, and manual arts within under-resourced communities, and, through these efforts, to promote a new community-focused urban consciousness.

Today a multi-generational colony of artists, craftspeople, and educators guide this organization forward, which houses four performance theaters, a mixed-use visual arts gallery, and 79 sustainable live/work spaces for over 100 painters, sculptors, dancers, performance artists, writers, photographers, and musicians.

Project Artaud is supported by its membership, by recent grants from the Cultural Facilities Fund Bay Area Program and the San Francisco Art Commission’s Creative Space Program. Follow Project Artaud on Facebook.

Project Artaud went solar in the spring of 2021, which coincides with Project Artaud’s 50th Year Anniversary. By going solar Project Artaud residents and members will have lower electricity bills and will be able to reduce their carbon footprint as well. By reducing electricity costs, Project Artaud will be able to better serve its members and provide affordable housing opportunities for San Francisco artists for decades to come.

Each year the artists at Project Artaud open their studios for ArtSpan’s SF Open Studios. It is a great time to explore Project Artaud and see the works of the artists that call it their home.