Welcome to Queer Arts Featured, the local art gallery, boutique, and creative event space located in the historic storefront that housed Harvey Milk’s camera shop and campaign headquarters. In honor of our history, we are a center for creativity, connection, and healing for the Queer community and those who love and support us. We’ve been called “The living room of The Castro”, and we work every day to foster that energy.
In the 1970s under Harvey Milk’s leadership, our storefront was a pivotal place for gay men from across the world seeking safety & community as they fought for gay liberation. When we began as a 6-month pop up in June 2022 with $35,000 of crowdfunding, our dream was to build a vibrant hub in The Castro that put people over profit and centered queer perspectives not historically given the space they deserve. When that six months passed, we saw the impact and momentum, signed a new lease at double the original rent, and pushed forward.
More than 1.5 years later, we have exhibited the work of nearly 200 Bay Area artists in 13 gallery shows and our boutique, many of whom have never shown in a physical space. We’ve sold over $230,000 in art and goods, 70% of which has gone directly back to the artists. We’ve hosted 150+ one-time and recurring events with all attendance fees sliding scale and no one turned away for lack of funds.
Our events have ranged from ASL drag shows to live sketch classes, multilingual open mics to trans-centered tea parties, art therapy groups to markets raising funds for humanitarian aid, and much more. Folks come from all over the world to The Castro to create and connect in our welcoming space bursting with beautiful diverse local art.
Our ultimate goal is to give 100% of sales and event donations directly back to the artists and facilitators that make the magic happen.
We have faced many challenges as a small business in San Francisco, and seen the closure of many iconic spaces around us. Against these odds and as a core team of two, we’ve kept the dream growing into a reality we couldn’t have imagined, one that has had a profound impact on those we’ve been blessed to share it with.
Your support for Queer A.F. will go toward hiring the support staff needed to sustain and grow, pay more artists and facilitators, and maintain our operating costs so we can give even more profit directly to artists and keep our events accessible to all.
With your help, the possibilities for creativity, connection, and healing are endless!
Learn More: http://www.queerartsfeatured.com