Queer Cultural Center

The Queer Cultural Center (QCC) promotes the artistic, cultural, and economic evolution of LGBTQ+ artists in the San Francisco Bay Area. It commissions and presents queer artists and arts organizations and is committed to serving artists and audiences who are diverse across multiple dimensions, including sexuality, gender expression, race, artistic genre, and cultural tradition. Each year, the QCC produces a queer arts festival that features over 40 arts events in San Francisco, the East Bay, and virtually. The organization also supports LGBTQ+ artists with fiscal sponsorships, grants, community-building opportunities, and capacity-building workshops. Support for the Queer Cultural Center aligns with the Performing Arts Program’s Communities strategy.

The Queer Cultural Center, based in San Francisco, is a mecca for multiracial queer arts and culture in the Bay Area and beyond. In addition to its celebrated month long National Queer Arts Festival, the organization’s presenting, commissioning, artist services, website, and educational programs annually reach audiences of more than 80,000. During the grant period leadership would focus on building cash reserves, developing a strategic plan that includes leadership succession planning, and continuing to build programs that support the economic and artistic development of the LGBT arts community.

In recognition of the Hewlett Foundation’s 50th anniversary, the Hewlett 50 Arts Commissions initiative supports the creation and premiere of 50 exceptional works of performing arts. This grant will support the Queer Cultural Center in commissioning, developing, and presenting the “Eyoomkuuka’ro Kokomaar,” (We Paddle Together) by tribal scholar, writer, master canoe builder, and indigenous language activist L. Frank Manriquez (Tongva/Ajachemen/Rarámuri). Working closely with collaborating artists, scholars, and culture keepers, the lead artist will co-create a ritual process with songs, poems, and dance for the creation and public ceremonial launching of a ti’aat plank canoe in the San Francisco Bay.