What in the World is CELLspace?

Over 80,000 people walk through CELLspace’s 10,000 square foot warehouse each year to attend nighttime events or adult art classes, work in artist studios, visit its fine arts gallery, participate in its on-site collaborative after-school program or off-site urban arts workshops for youth, or use space for community meetings and rehearsals. Our organization is uniquely sustainable in that 60% of our income is earned revenue generated from the rental of our space.

CELLspace simultaneously serves two key populations in the Mission District: at-risk youth and artists. We provide young adults a space to assemble and exhibit art, produce community events, organize and thus promote positive social change. CELLspace provides arts programming for youth that is not provided by San Francisco schools. We provide leadership opportunities for youth, and a space to participate in public meetings, political organizing, and recreational activities. Being that we are located in the Mission District of San Francisco where gang violence is at an all time high, our youth programs are designed to serve as prevention measures to address this violence.

In addition, we provide space and services for adults to exhibit and practice various artistic mediums. We currently house nine visual arts studios, a 10,000 square foot performance space, adult arts education programming, a visual arts gallery, a metal shop, woodshop, and community flea and farmers market. By serving both youth and adults simultaneously, each population benefits from being exposed to the interests and experiences of one another - a rewarding experience that they may not get otherwise.