San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed and community leaders today celebrated the acquisition of 262 7th Street by two legacy Asian-American arts organizations -- the Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center (APICC) and Kulintang Arts (KULARTS) -- who have plans to open a new multidisciplinary performance space centered on Asian- and Filipino-American diasporic arts.
Located in the heart of SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco’s historic Filipino Cultural Heritage District, the APICC/KULARTS Performing Arts Space will be one of the only Filipino-forward, Asian-American inclusive multidisciplinary arts spaces in the country. Once renovations are complete, the site is envisioned as a home base for APICC and KULARTS and will serve as a cultural anchor for the SOMA community.
“San Francisco’s arts and culture offerings continue to gain global attention, and we are so proud to be home for some of the most regarded artists, creators and makers in the world,” said Mayor London Breed. “With this acquisition, our very own Filipino Cultural Heritage District – SOMA Pilipinas – will be the future home for a space designed to lift up and honor our Asian-American communities and their heritage through art. As we honor Filipino Heritage Month, there isn’t a more fitting moment to come together to celebrate. I want to thank the Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center, Kulinating Arts and all of our community partners who have helped make this happen.”
APICC/KULARTS will renovate the building to house a 120-seat theater, a visual arts gallery and a multidisciplinary space for dance rehearsals, community events and workshops, and office space. The APICC/KULARTS space is expected to have multiple positive impacts on the SOMA neighborhood, including:
- Providing a permanent home for legacy arts groups
- Expanded opportunities for Asian-American performing artists
- Contributing to the vibrancy of SOMA Pilipinas
- Increasing economic revitalization and improving the built environment without displacing local residents.
"We are very proud to partner with our longtime collaborators at KULARTS to secure a professional theater space stewarded by and for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community,” said Vinay Patel, Executive Director of APICC. “This facility is not just a building—it's a promise that our diverse AANHPI stories, art, and cultural heritage will have a permanent place in the fabric of San Francisco. We are so excited and honored to co-create a space where the next generation of artists can grow and thrive."
“After 39 years of renting theater and exhibition spaces, we are excited to finally co-own a dedicated professional venue for the advancement and preservation of Pilipinx creative arts,” said Alleluia Panis, Artistic Director of KULARTS. “This physical space will serve as a foundation, profoundly empowering future generations of artists seeking to connect with their cultural roots while making a vital contribution to the growth of Pilipinx culture within the diaspora.”
The acquisition of the property was supported by a $5 million grant secured through a competitive request for proposals process through the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD). Assemblymembers Matt Haney and Phil Ting secured an additional $3 million in funding from the State of California for the acquisition.
“Government investment in Asian American/Pacific Islander communities has been lacking for several years now. That’s why it was important for me to secure $3 million in state funding to help in the acquisition of this new center. We need more creative spaces that will showcase AAPI culture, like APICC and KULARTS have done and will continue to do. When we educate and expose people to our stories, we cultivate greater understanding and acceptance,” said Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco.)
“During a time when our downtowns are facing real struggles, it’s inspiring to see a new performance arts facility in SOMA that is uplifting our city and bringing back culture and life to our downtown,” said Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco).
The San Francisco Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 budget included $30 million for acquisition and tenant improvements of community facilities. MOHCD has issued three rounds of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for the API Nonprofit Acquisition Fund. To date, $29.5 million has been awarded to 11 organizations.
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