Root Division

Root Division is a visual arts non-profit that connects creativity and community through a dynamic ecosystem of arts education, exhibitions, and studios. Our mission is to empower artists, promote community service, inspire youth, and enrich the Bay Area through engagement in the visual arts. Root Division is a launching pad for artists, a stepping-stone for educators, a door to creativity for youth, and a bridge for the general public to become supporters of the arts. Root Division was founded in 2002 to remedy the lack of arts education in schools while creating a sustainable arts hub that would constructively address the three main challenges facing Bay Area emerging artists: the need for (1) low-cost studio space, (2) exhibition opportunities, and (3) income-generating professional experience. Since our inception, Root Division has provided 135 artists with studios; trained and empowered 280 artists to teach; provided more than 4,000 hours of free art classes for neighborhood youth; hosted onsite adult art classes for 1700 students; exhibited 1800 artists; been a gathering place for more than 35,000 visitors to meet artists and see their work; sold over $426,000 of emerging artwork to the public; and developed partnerships with two-dozen public schools and community centers and more than 150 local businesses. Root Division was displaced from its 10-year home in July 2014. The organization currently resides in a 5600 sf street-level storefront on Market Street. All annual programming is continuing, including training and placing over 40 artist-teacher volunteers in five after school partner programs; offering dozens of Adult Education offerings; and producing twelve monthly exhibitions. In February 2015, Root Division secured a 10-year lease for a 13,400 sf building in San Francisco’s Mid-Market/ SOMA neighborhood, where it can support more artists and hence serve more youth. The organization is planning spring renovations and a move in Summer 2015.