Renovation Plans Announced

The historic San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI) is poised for a major renovation, with the aim of reemerging as a dynamic arts organization and studio facility. The specifics of this transformation will be revealed in due course.

Architectural Restoration Efforts

Architecture firm Page and Turnbull has filed for approval with the San Francisco Planning Department to initiate the renovation and restoration of both the 99-year-old Spanish-style building, originally designed by Bakewell & Brown, and the adjacent 1969 Brutalist addition. Both structures have displayed signs of aging, necessitating this important conservation effort.

In collaboration with SoMa-based Jensen Architects, engaged by the nonprofit BMA-Institute (BMAI), Page and Turnbull will focus on preserving the historic elements while reimagining the interior spaces.

Vision for the Future

Philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, leads BMAI in this venture, aiming to ignite a “renewed arts renaissance” in San Francisco. Plans indicate that the future facility will emphasize a visual arts program grounded in studio practice, though it will not have the status of an accredited school.

Artists-in-Residence Program

As part of the renovation, several studios will be converted into temporary residences for an artists-in-residence program. The property is designated to accommodate up to three of these living spaces, and former offices overlooking a central courtyard are expected to be repurposed as art studios.

Cultural Significance and Public Access

A small library on the premises will be transformed into a private study area, while the main entrance will undergo renovations to enhance public access to Diego Rivera’s renowned mural, The Making of a Fresco Showing the Building of a City. This artwork is valued at approximately $50 million, significantly exceeding the $30 million purchase price paid by Powell Jobs for the property last year.

A new name for the institution is also on the horizon, expected to be included in the upcoming official announcements.

A Tumultuous History

The San Francisco Art Institute closed its doors in 2022 after 152 years of operation and subsequently filed for bankruptcy a year later. Despite several attempts to stabilize the institution, including discussions for a merger with the University of San Francisco, it ultimately succumbed to challenges exacerbated by declining enrollment and financial mismanagement. At the time of its closure, the school was burdened with nearly $20 million in debt, which the UC Board of Regents agreed to purchase in 2020, contingent on property sale proceeds to recover the investment if the school ceased operations.

Historically, SFAI held a prestigious reputation, boasting a roster of illustrious faculty and alumni, including notable figures such as Richard Diebenkorn, Stan Brakhage, Annie Leibovitz, Kathryn Bigelow, Jeremy Fish, David Ireland, Catherine Opie, and Ansel Adams.