Wed October 15th Open 11 AM–5 PM
Exhibitions
Bay Area Then
Presented by YBCA
August 1, 2025–January 25, 2026
“Bay Area Then” showcases work by 21 artists who forged a new creative legacy for the Bay Area in the 1990s—including Barry McGee, Alicia McCarthy, Chris Johanson, and Margaret Kilgallen.
Exhibitions
Bay Area Then
Presented by YBCA
“Bay Area Then” showcases work by 21 artists who forged a new creative legacy for the Bay Area in the 1990s—including Barry McGee, Alicia McCarthy, Chris Johanson, and Margaret Kilgallen.
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Exhibitions
MAKIBAKA: A Living Legacy
Presented by SOMA Pilipinas in collaboration with YBCA
Celebrating the culture, contributions, and presence of the Filipino community in the South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood and Bay Area.
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Workshops
Free Art Workshop: Folded Story Book
Presented by YBCA
Create a folded story book inspired by your connections with community, family, friends, or draw a story entirely from imagination.
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Public Programs
Bay Area Then and Now Poetry Series
Presented by YBCA
A midday poetry and spoken word reading by Bay Area poets Maw Shein Win, Julien Poirier and Yates Cessna.
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Workshops
Sanctuary City Print Shop
Presented by YBCA
Join artists Sergio De La Torre and Chris Treggiari for a print-making workshop.
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Workshops
Free Art Workshop: Mixed Media Collage
Presented by YBCA
Assemble a collage featuring your neighborhood and community, while highlighting the essence of “kapwa” (shared identity).
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Workshops
Photo Portfolio Review with Erina Alejo
Presented by SOMA Pilipinas in partnership with YBCA
A workshop bringing together community photographers for dialogue and review.
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Events
The Haunt: An Artistically-Twisted Haunted House
Presented by Bat Witch Ghost & YBCA
An artist-made haunted house. Spooky yet campy, scrappy but full of wonder, DIY and open to everyone.
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Public Programs
Bay Area Then Artist and Curator Panel
Presented by YBCA
A candid conversation between Bay Area Then participating artists Arnold Kemp, Alicia McCarthy, and Rigo 23 moderated by curator Eungie Joo
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Workshops
Free Art Workshop: Pop-up Mini Haunted House
Presented by YBCA
In light of Halloween, learn how to construct a pop-up mini haunted house.
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Workshops
Free Art Workshop: Velveteen Rabbit Pop-up Book
Presented by YBCA
Create an imaginative pop-up book featuring characters from the Velveteen Rabbit, as well as a dance-along kinetic break will be led by ODC.
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Music
Bay Area Then: Erica Dawn Lyle & Brontez Purnell
Presented by YBCA
Erica Dawn Lyle and Brontez Purnell perform as part of the musical programming for Bay Area Then.
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Music
The Unified Heart of Leonard Cohen with Conspiracy of Beards, The Crux, and Genny Lim
Presented by San Francisco Leonard Cohen Festival and Conspiracy of Beards
San Francisco’s Conspiracy of Beards perform their new show, The Unified Heart of Leonard Cohen.
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Music
Perla Batalla – A Letter to Leonard Cohen: A Tribute to a Friend
Presented by San Francisco Leonard Cohen Festival and Conspiracy of Beards
Featuring Batalla’s powerful voice, powerful band, emotional honesty, and boundary-defying songs, blending interpretations of Cohen’s iconic lyrics with two of her own compositions.
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Tours
Curator-Led Tour of MAKIBAKA: A Living Legacy
Presented by SOMA Pilipinas in collaboration with YBCA
Join curator Trisha Lagaso Goldberg for this unique opportunity to learn more.
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Performances
The Velveteen Rabbit
Presented by ODC/Dance
The Velveteen Rabbit returns to the stage with the 39th anniversary of the beloved Bay Area holiday tradition.
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Music
Bay Area Then: Ovarian Trolley & Wife
Presented by YBCA
Ovarian Trolley and Wife perform as part of the musical programming for Bay Area Then.
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Dance
The Christmas Ballet
Presented by Smuin Contemporary Ballet
The tradition returns to spread holiday magic.
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Public Art
Dream
Ana Teresa Fernández
A public art installation commissioned by YBCA and co-sponsored by San Francisco Public Works.
+ Read more2015–Ongoing
Bernal Hill, San Francisco
Public Art
Sanctuary City Project
Sergio De La Torre & Chris Treggiari
Sanctuary City Project is an ongoing public art and printmaking initiative that asks urgent questions about immigration, citizenship, and who gets to feel safe.
+ Read more2012–Ongoing
Street poles surrounding the YBCA campus; Galleries, YBCA
Public Art
SoMa Mahal Kita (SoMa I Love You)
Ciriaco Sayoc
A message of love for the SoMa neighborhood and community, inspired by weaving practices in the Phillipines and the colors of the Filipino flag.
+ Read more2024-Ongoing
Vestibule Banner, YBCA
Public Art
What is Legacy Without Liberation?
Malaya Tuyay
This mural is an altar offered to the SoMa community that invites passerby to honor their loved ones who have passed while commemorating community stories.
+ Read more2024–Ongoing
Third Street Wavy Wall, YBCA
Public Art
We fly for a liberated we, we rooted in flight
Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo
A public artwork inviting passerbyers to join in the journey of collective flight
+ Read more2024–Ongoing
Third Street Exterior, YBCA
2022-ongoing
Mission Street at Geneva Ave., Excelsior Ave. and Onoganda Ave., San Francisco
Public Art
Peace in the Middle East
Taravat Talepasand
This work refers to the translation of the word “peace” in Farsi “صلح” sculpted with neon.
+ Read more2022-ongoing
Grand Lobby, YBCA
