Fri October 3rd 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.
+ Read more
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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Dance
Extremely Close
Presented by Smuin Contemporary Ballet
Smuin’s Season 32 kicks off with a trio of Smuin premieres.
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Events
Global Groove Remix
In partnership with MoAD, YBCA, Empire, and The Svane Family Foundation
A one-night-only experience of art, music, and connection, honoring MoAD’s 20th Anniversary and kicking off Nexus Black Art Week across the Bay Area.
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Workshops
Free Art Workshop: Paper Weaving
Presented by YBCA
Learn how to weave with paper and incorporate personal narratives as a way to carry on the traditions of storytelling through weaving.
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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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Events
Makibeki
Presented by SOMA Pilipinas in partnership with YBCA
The SOMA Pilipinas Pride will include a short procession, mini pageant, program with a lineup of Filipinx performers, and resource fair.
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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
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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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.
+ Read moreOctober 25–November 1, 2025
YBCA, The Forum
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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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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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.
+ Read more
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
