History

Project Artaud is a non-profit, member-run organization providing housing and support for artists and arts activities.

In 1925, the property that now houses Project Artaud was built as a tooling factory for the American Can Company. Over the years it served many purposes, including that of building airplane parts during WWII in the large space that would later become Theater Artaud.

In 1971, a group of artists moved into the then vacant building and named it after the avant-garde French theater artist, Antonin Artaud (1896-1948). In 1989, full legal status was granted to Project Artaud,
thus defining the new live/work code for the city of San Francisco.

Today, there are over 70 individual artists’ live/work studios occupied by visual artists, sculptors, writers, photographers, print makers, performing artists of all disciplines, electronic media creators, as well as film/video makers.

In member public spaces, Project Artaud houses the well respected
Southern Exposure Gallery, A Traveling Jewish Theater, Theater of Yugen/Noh Space, Contraband Dance Company, Mariposa Studio, the Phil Deal Performance Gallery, The Ark Media Group, and Logos Graphics. Artaud Theater, which was put on the map with a landmark performance by Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko in 1972, continues to offer controversial and cutting-edge performance programs.

Today the cultural identity of our neighborhood is changing rapidly and the arts are in a serious crisis unlike any other in recent times. We at Project Artaud are striving to continue to maintain our arts facilities for the benefit and enjoyment of all. The membership is in the planning stages of very costly earthquake and ADA (American’s with Disabilities Act) compliance. If you would like to join us in supporting the organization that maintains this building — providing a home to theater, gallery, dance groups and real live/work artist’s studios — your contribution is greatly needed and appreciated. Tax-deductible donations can be made to Project Artaud, earmarked “Seismic/ADA 2002”. Tax documentation will be provided with our Thank You!

Project Artaud is supported by its membership and by recent grants from the Cultural Facilities Fund Bay Area Program and the San Francisco Art Commission’s Creative Space Program.

“Today the seagulls came to Project Artaud…”

Abe Davis wrote a beautiful poem for the House Newsletter – The Toe – in 1972. The decaying original document has been digitized for posterity.