The San Francisco Arts Commission is an agency of the City and County of San Francisco that consists of fifteen members appointed by the Mayor for four-year terms. Our work is overseen by the Director of Cultural Affairs.

Group photo of SFAC Commissioners and Director of Cultural Affairs

 

Eleven members are practicing arts professionals, including two architects, a landscape architect, and representatives of the performing, visual, literary and media arts, and four lay members. The President of the Planning Commission, or a member of the Commission designated by the Presidents, serves ex officio. (Sec. 5.103)


Charles Collins
President


Janine Shiota
Vice President


JD Beltran
Commissioner


J. Riccardo Benavides
​Commissioner

Seth Brenzel
​Commissioner

Patrick Carney
​Commissioner

Suzie Ferras
​Commissioner

Mahsa Hakimi
​Commissioner

Yiying Lu
​Commissioner

Vacant
​Commissioner

Nabiel Musleh
​Commissioner

Jessica Rothschild
​Commissioner

Abby Sadin Schnair
​Commissioner

Marcus A. Shelby
​Commissioner

Deborah Walker
​Commissioner

Lydia So
​Ex. Officio, SF Planning
   
     


Ralph Remington
​Director of Cultural Affairs


 
 


To reach the Director of Cultural Affairs or individual commissioners directly, email Chief of Staff Alyssa Ventre or Commission Secretary Manraj Dhaliwal by calling (415) 252-2255.

Read our bylaws

Biographies:
Charles Collins, President
Janine Shiota, Vice President
JD Beltran
J. Riccardo Benavides
Seth Brenzel
Patrick Carney
Suzanne Ferras
Mahsa Hakimi
Yiying Lu
Nabiel Musleh
Jessica Rothschild
Abby Sadin Schnair
Marcus Anthony Shelby
Deborah Walker
Lydia So (Ex Officio, Planning Commission)

Ralph Remington, Director of Cultural Affairs

Learn About the Standing Committees of the Arts Commission

A.

The Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, the Vice President and three other Commissioners appointed by the President and shall have the responsibility for reviewing and recommending overall Commission policy, long-range and strategic planning, program evaluation, general budgeting and financing of programs and facilities.

A.

Members of the Civic Design Review Committee shall be appointed by the President. The Committee shall consist of a minimum of five Commissioners, and shall normally include two architects and one landscape architect. The Civic Design Review Committee is charged with the Charter responsibility of reviewing the design of buildings and all other structures erected upon land belonging to the City and County, or private structures which extend over or encroach upon such land. The Committee may also advise the Commission with respect to lines, grades and planting of public ways and grounds.

A.

Members of the Community Investments Committee shall be appointed by the President. The Committee shall consist of a minimum of five Commissioners. The Community Investments Committee shall be responsible for review and recommendation of program policies, projects and initiatives for the Community Investments Program. It shall review panel recommendations, program policy and implementation, and issues and recommendations for grantmaking, City-owned Cultural Center and Art Vendor programming. The members of the Community Investments Committee shall serve as the members of the Street Artist Program Committee under Police Code Sections 2401 and 2408(b).

A.

Members of the Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the President no later than the regular October meeting each year, unless the Commission decides upon a later appointment date. The Committee shall consist of a minimum of three Commissioners. The Nominating Committee shall review qualifications and availability of Commissioners and make recommendations for officers, review nominating procedures, develop and participate in orientation sessions for new Commissioners, and make recommendations for public membership on ad hoc committees and subcommittees.

A.

Members of the Visual Arts Committee shall be appointed by the President. The Committee shall consist of a minimum of five Commissioners. The Visual Arts Committee shall review and recommend all program proposals, policies and procedures for the Civic Art Collection and Public Art Program, and the Galleries program. It shall oversee all aspects of acquiring, maintaining or de-accessioning artwork for the Civic Art Collection.

What's Coming Up

Public Meeting

Advisory Committee of Street Artists and Crafts Examiners

July 02
/
10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Hybrid: 401 Van Ness | Rm 125 and Online
Public Meeting

Advisory Committee of Street Artists and Crafts Examiners

April 02
/
10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Hybrid: 401 Van Ness | Rm 125 and Online
Exhibition

Metaphors of Recent Times

January 17 to June 20
/
8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Public Meeting

Advisory Committee of Street Artists and Crafts Examiners

January 08
/
10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Hybrid: 401 Van Ness | Rm 125 and Online