The foundation is proud to bestow a variety of programs and awards in literature, visual arts, theater, and playwriting that help foster innovation and individual artistic growth within our community.
Artistic Hubs Cohort
The rising cost of living in the Bay Area has displaced scores of arts organizations. To help keep these critical cultural programs in their communities, the foundation launched the Artistic Hubs Cohort in 2013 and is supporting a second cohort. The program supports 15 arts organizations that advance racial and economic equity and serve as cultural anchors for underserved communities.
Bay Area Creative Corps Program
San Francisco Foundation launched the Bay Area Creative Corps Program, in partnership with the California Arts Council’s statewide pilot initiative, the California Creative Corps (CCC), established by a one-time $60 million investment from the State of California General Fund. The foundation is one of 14 partners with the CAC across the state that are designing programs unique to the strengths and needs of their particular region.
SFF/Nomadic Press Literary Award
The SFF/Nomadic Press Literary Award offers 20 winning writers $5,000 to each recipient for their outstanding work in poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. The San Francisco Foundation does not administer the SFF/Nomadic Press Literary Award.
Murphy Award and the Cadogan Scholarships
The Jack K. and Gertrude Murphy Award and the Edwin Anthony and Adalaine Boudreaux Cadogan Scholarships help fuel the forward-thinking visual arts movement that makes the Bay Area unique. These awards were established in 1986 and are designed to further the development of Bay Area master of fine arts students and to foster the exploration of their artistic potential. The winners of the Murphy Award and the Cadogan Scholarships receive financial awards (award amounts to be determined when applications reopen). Each winner also has their work displayed in a professionally curated exhibition at SOMArts Cultural Center. This exhibition and program are done in partnership with SOMArts Cultural Center.
Rella Lossy Award
The Rella Lossy Award honors the memory of Rella Lossy, a lifelong lover and champion of the American theater and playwriting, by honoring the best new script of a play by an emerging playwright that will premiere in the Bay Area in a given time period. The Rella Lossy Award is an award for professionally oriented theatre organizations that will be presenting a world-premiere full-length play by an emerging playwright. The award goes to the playwright and the producing company. Learn more at Theater Bay Area.