San Francisco Women Artists, an Inner Sunset gallery that's also California's oldest arts organization, has received a $24,000 grant from the San Francisco Neighborhood Arts Collaborative (NAC).
According to SFWA board president Pam Borrelli, the funds will be used to create public art events in the Inner Sunset, support other artistic endeavors in the area, and post banners along the commercial strip.
Although SFWA tried to apply for an NAC grant last year, the Inner Sunset was not eligible to participate in the program, which "provides funding to nonprofits that promote art in neighborhoods," said Borrelli.
SFWA's winning proposal was drafted as a collaboration between Inner Sunset Park Neighbors, the Inner Sunset Merchants Association and Friends of Sharon Art Studio (FOSAS). "We figured out some good projects to consider, then we contacted these other groups, which we've worked with," said Borrelli, who noted that several FOSAS teachers are also SFWA members.
"We got really great letters of support, and London Breed wrote a strong letter of support," Borrelli said, adding that the core concept for SFWA's award-winning grant is "Celebrating the Inner Sunset."
"The idea behind the grant is to promote art in the neighborhood," so SFWA has already put out a call to artists to submit entries for a jurored banner competition.
"We'll select the best 16 designs," Borrelli said, though "it'll be kind of tricky," since the winning designs will still need to be approved by Planning before they can be fabricated and mounted on utility poles.
Grant partners ISPN and ISMA will assist in the judging, and the winning designs will be displayed near 9th & Irving, with the artists each receiving a $200 cash prize.
To further engage the neighborhood with public art, SFWA plans to sponsor a kiosk at the Inner Sunset Farmers Market. "We'll have somebody painting a portrait, making jewelry or crafting at a booth each weekend in October," Borrelli said.
Since opening SFWA a year ago, Borrelli said she's observed a burgeoning art scene in the Sunset. "It's definitely getting more interest—it's such a great neighborhood, and it's very attractive to a a lot of artists and organizations that have been priced out of other places."
Thanks to 3 Fish Studios and other art spaces, Borrelli said the Sunset's art renaissance extends all the way to the Pacific. "We're really excited and hoping that whatever we can do to contribute will draw more people. A lot of people still don't even know our gallery is here yet."
To start tapping into the NAC money, SFWA will have to start spending on the projects described in their grant application. "It's only by reimbursement," said Borrelli, who plans to use the funds for marketing and public relations efforts, as well as artist support.
While SFWA develops its grant initiatives, Borrelli hopes people will stop by the gallery to check out its monthly art competition and other offerings. "We're still growing, getting new members and having great sales all the time," she said.
