San Francisco Introduces ‘Make it! On Market’ Program to Boost Local Arts

In a bid to enhance the vibrancy of Market Street, San Francisco has unveiled a new initiative named “Make it! On Market.” This program is designed to fund artists who wish to set up shop along the bustling corridors of Market Street, creating memorable experiences for pedestrians.

Grant Opportunities for Artists

As part of this initiative, grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to artists. The aim is to facilitate “surprise-and-delight” moments that engage and attract foot traffic to one of the city’s main thoroughfares.

Building on Existing Efforts

This new program is the latest collaboration between the Mid-Market Foundation, a nonprofit organization, and the city government. It builds upon the success of the “Busk it!” initiative, which began in March. The ‘Busk it!’ program has been compensating local musicians for their performances on the sidewalks, enriching the auditory landscape of Market Street.

Quotes from Program Advocates

“This program is one of the many initiatives crucial to the changing experience on Market Street,” stated Abra Allan, director of creative engagement for the Mid-Market Foundation. She added, “’Make it!’ allows us to expand our support of artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs, showcasing unique, only-in-San Francisco experiences on a daily basis.”

Impact of Market Street Arts Initiative

Market Street Arts, which administers these public arts initiatives, reported significant success with “Busk It!”— funding approximately 30 shows per month since its inception. Initially scheduled to conclude in November, the program’s funding has now been extended to continue through 2025, diversifying its offerings to include all live performers, not just musicians.

A Community-Focused Approach

This public arts initiative is supported through a partnership between the Mid-Market Foundation and the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development. It is particularly timely as city leaders explore innovative strategies to revitalize downtown areas, given that only about 44% of office workers have returned post-COVID-19.

Achievements and Future Plans

Since its launch less than a year ago, Market Street Arts has reached several key milestones:

• Transforming vacant storefronts into Creative Hubs.
• Allocating $150,000 to host free sidewalk concerts featuring talented musicians ten times a week.
• Offering over 150 free live events to the public.

“These efforts have paid local artists, increased foot traffic, and brought a wealth of joyful activity to Mid-Market every week,” described Steve Gibson, executive director of the Mid-Market Foundation.

Application Process for Grants

Artists interested in participating in the “Make it! On Market” program can apply for grants online at marketstreetarts.org.