About 447 Minna
At 447 Minna, we welcome a range of arts and cultural practices spanning from visual arts to performing arts, contemporary to experimental, and everything in between.
Our mission? We wrap physical space around an artist’s or organization’s needs. From the scrappy to the seasoned, we support those in search of affordable, welcoming spaces to cultivate deep community roots.
History
Known as the historic Dempster building, 447 Minna was built in 1907 and first served as a printing facility before being acquired by the Hearst Corporation to be used as a photo archive and test kitchen.
Beginning in 2015, Community Arts Stabilization Trust (CAST) was approached by the 5M Project and started discussions with its developer, Brookfield Properties (then Forest City), around forming a partnership to develop the historic Dempster Building for arts and culture uses.
As part of a community benefits agreement with the City of San Francisco, Brookfield Properties donated the Dempster Building to CAST in 2019. CAST leveraged the multi-million dollar building, fundraised for renovations and tenant improvements starting March 2020, and after nearly two years, opened to the public in March 2022.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed leading the ribbon cutting in The Parks at 5M, March 2022. Photo by Andrew Campbell Nelson
Why 447 Minna was created
Balay Kreative artist Joriz Madrid and Kultivate Labs Executive Director Desi Danganan during an Undiscovered SF pop-up at 447 Minna, October 2022. Photo by Mogli Maureal
447 Minna was developed by CAST to help fill the gap in the lack of affordable, accessible spaces for arts and culture in San Francisco and the South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood. Given SoMa’s long history of displacement, specifically in the Filipino community, coupled with the increasingly expensive real estate prices of the Bay Area, CAST saw a role to play—create a community gathering space promoting arts and culture to build connection and inclusion.
CAST has a decade-long history in thinking outside the box and putting community first so that creative expression and cultural connection can thrive. At 447 Minna, providing stable, affordable spaces for SoMa, particularly the Filipino and LGBTQIA+ communities, and beyond is part of that goal.
For many groups, carving out the space to dream doesn’t involve purchasing their home. Through 447 Minna, CAST removes the pressure and responsibilities of ownership so artists and residents can focus on what matters most—their practice and being in community.
Artist Joseph Loeb and Chabad SF’s Schmulik Friedman at “Reimagining Minna Street”, a Dreaming Spaces community celebration by CAST, September 2022. Photo by Robbie Sweeny
The future of 447 Minna
The pandemic showed us what we’ve always known to be true—that space for arts and culture can be abundant when we are willing to think creatively and in new ways.
Through listening sessions and deep community engagement via CAST’s program Dreaming Spaces San Francisco, this 10,200 square foot space has been transformed into a hub for art, culture, and community.
Thanks to grants from #StartSmall and the First Republic Foundation, 447 Minna has been able to offer subsidized space for local nonprofits and neighborhood organizations such as Arts with Elders, Balay Kreative, Bessie Carmichael School/Filipino Education Center, Bindlestiff Studio, the Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program, Museum of the African Diaspora, and Ashara Ekundayo Gallery, among others.
Hosting pop-ups, after-school programs, classes, meetings, artist residencies, and events, 447 Minna is on its way to becoming a space for the community, one that provides the flexibility to experiment, dream, imagine and bring people together to create and share art.
Envisioned as a cultural hub dedicated to arts and culture, we look forward to continuing to work toward the goal of providing a welcoming, accessible meeting place for our SoMa neighbors and beyond.
Balay Kreative’s Kreative Growth Grantee Nikbo performs at her “Breathe Underwater” EP Preview Concert at 447 Minna. Photo by CAST
Youth from United Playaz and Director of Community & Family Engagement Misha Olivas with CAST Community Engagement Specialist, Patricia Zamora. Photo by Robbie Sweeny
Our Values
These commitments were derived from 135 points of community conversation and listening circles. We are grateful to the many individuals and organizations who contributed to these core values, and they will continue to inform how 447 Minna's spaces, programs, and events are stewarded for and with the community.
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Foster dialogue and creative exchange
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Provide subsidized opportunities to organizations and artists with deep ties to the SOMA neighborhood and/or located in zip codes: 94103, 94110, 94112. 94124, 94134
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Support Filipinx, LGBTQ+, POC artists, and cultural heritage celebrations
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Intentionally make space for underrepresented voices, while acknowledging the systems that create and uphold inequity
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Amplify, celebrate and strengthen a culture of creativity
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Highlight art practices, education, and resources not currently in SOMA and extend invitations to artists and organizations overlooked in traditional/institutional structures
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Protect and center the lived experience of long-term neighborhood residents
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Focus on youth programming and older adult programming
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS & EVENTS
A Community Design Day held with the Dreaming Spaces SF Steering Committee, designers, and community residents, August 2022. Photo by CAST
