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Root Division

Root Division
Formation2002; 22 years ago (2002)
TypeArts nonprofit
Headquarters1131 Mission Street,
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Coordinates37°46′46″N 122°24′42″W / 37.779471°N 122.411705°W / 37.779471; -122.411705
Executive Director
Michelle Mansour
WebsiteOfficial website

Root Division is an American arts nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2002. It is located in San Francisco, California.[1] They provide a gallery space for exhibition opportunities to emerging and mid-career artists. It also provides art classes, artist residencies, and art studio space.[2][3][4][5]

History

The organization was founded in 2002, by three graduates of San Francisco Art Institute. For many years it operated out of the 3175 17th Street building in the Mission District, a 7,000-square-foot space owned by the nonprofit Seven Teepees.[2] Due to gentrification and a steep rise in rent, Root Division had to leave the building in 2015.[2][6] They were awarded funds from the city and county of San Francisco's Nonprofit Displacement Mitigation Fund, as well as fund raised for the expenses of moving and remodeling to their new location at 1131 Mission Street in the Mid-Market/South of Market neighborhood.[2] The new location is a 13,000-square-foot building, almost doubling their space.[2]

Background

Root Division is located in a building at 7th Street in Mid-Market neighborhood, and provide a gallery space for rotating exhibitions.[7][8][9] Many of their exhibitions are led by independent and emerging curators,[7] as well as hosting art fundraisers and auctions.[10][11] Art classes hosted are for both adults and youth. It has 22 artists’ studios, occupied by some 28 artists (some studios are shared).[4] The Root Division artist residencies last for up to 2 years.[2]

Since 2007, Michelle Mansour is the executive director of the organization.[12][4]

Notable associated people

References

  1. ^ Huang, Jia Jia (2022-11-11). "San Francisco's Vibrant Art Scene Isn't Dying Out Anytime Soon". ARTnews.com. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Dineen, J. K. (2015-03-10). "A feat in S.F.: Arts group Root Division finds a space to rent". San Francisco Chronicle. ISSN 1932-8672. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  3. ^ "Root Division Finds Permanent Home, Expands Arts Programming In Mid-Market". Hoodline.com. 2015-03-16. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  4. ^ a b c Garchik, Leah (2019-05-02). "An artist's promise, more beautiful than one could imagine". San Francisco Chronicle. ISSN 1932-8672. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  5. ^ Wilson, Emily (2024-07-18). "In 'With Open Eyes,' Artists Deploy Dignity and Softness in Depictions of Black Life". www.kqed.org. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  6. ^ Zack, Jessica (2015-09-23). "Artist community digs deep to fund Root Division's new home". San Francisco Chronicle. ISSN 1932-8672. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  7. ^ a b Demarais, Charles (2016-01-27). "Make no mistake, catch latest Root Division exhibit". San Francisco Chronicle. ISSN 1932-8672. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  8. ^ Wilson, Emily (2022-11-20). "Two Artists' Quest to Free Their Ancestors". Hyperallergic. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  9. ^ Brice, Anne (2021-08-06). "Art exhibition asks: Who counts in America?". Berkeley News, University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  10. ^ "Works you can sink your teeth into". The San Francisco Examiner. 2009-04-23. pp. A29. ISSN 2574-593X. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  11. ^ "Summer Art Olympics". The San Francisco Examiner. 2005-06-24. p. 23. ISSN 2574-593X. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  12. ^ Mureithi, Carlos (2017-10-26). "Root Division to host art auction on Mission Street Thursday". Mission Local. Retrieved 2022-11-30.