Bay Area Now 9 is the ninth iteration of YBCA’s signature triennial exhibition highlighting artists working throughout the Bay Area’s nine counties. Each BAN is an attempt to answer the question: What are artists making, thinking, dreaming about right now? Central to BAN—and to YBCA as an institution—is the investment in and platforming of the vibrant creative communities which surround us. Featuring over 30 multidisciplinary artists—a nod to YBCA’s upcoming 30th anniversary—the exhibition features numerous new commissions spanning our campus.

Forgoing a preconceived theme for this year’s BAN, the Curatorial + Exhibitions Team took over one hundred artists into consideration and conducted dozens of studio visits under the advisory of YBCA’s inaugural Curatorial Counsel. The resulting selection of artists demonstrates a focus on materials and subject matter that often collapse time and place, bringing us closer to our personal and collective ancestry as a site for healing and regeneration. Honoring intimacy—connections with oneself, friends, and family—is a driving motivation. Taking an analytical approach to the Bay Area’s built and natural landscapes, artists observe, interrogate, and ponder notions of infrastructure, industry, and interconnectedness.

But these are just suggestions—we invite you to define BAN9 on your own terms.

Exploring the notion of convening as a creative discipline, the exhibition will be contextualized and expanded through film screenings, workshops, artist talks and activations, performances, ceremonies, communal meals, public art, and more—developed with the Curatorial Counsel. Please stay tuned for programming updates or subscribe to receive more information here.

Tickets

General Admission: $9*

*Free admission for Youth, Students, Educators, Seniors, Military Personnel, and more.

BAN9 All-Access Pass: $30

Benefits include:

  • Unlimited access for one person to BAN9 exhibition from October 6 through May 5, 2024. Excludes events in the Forum and the Theater.
  • Access to exclusive all access pass-only events.
  • Discounts to select YBCA events, merchandise and special programs.
  • Ability to apply $30 pass to upgrade to a YBCA membership prior to May 5, 2024.
  • Pass is valid for one individual and cannot be transferred or shared.

Employees of other museums with current valid staff ID receive free general admission for themselves and one guest.*

*Entry ticket must be obtained onsite at YBCA’s Ticketing desk.