Description
The San Francisco Arts Festival Photographs and Records consist of photographic prints, slides, negatives, and a small amount
of written and ephemeral records documenting the annual festival that was sponsored by the San Francisco Art Commission.
Background
The San Francisco Arts Festival in California was the largest and oldest free outdoor public art event on the West Coast,
founded in 1938 by San Francisco artists and then sponsored by the San Francisco Art Commission from 1946-1986. The SF Arts
Festival exhibited local and contemporary Bay Area artists and craftsmen from San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda,
Contra Costa, Marin, Sonoma, Napa, and Solano counties. Exhibiting predominantly visual arts, the annual show promoted artistic
interest and advancement in its local and regional community by providing a venue for local and contemporary artists and craftsmen
to sell, display, and develop sponsorship in a time in history when “official” art was only accepted in museums.
Extent
1 carton, 2 boxes, 1 shoebox
(2.5 linear feet)
Restrictions
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
Availability
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.