Market Street Arts
A vision, a plan, and transformative actions for San Francisco’s Mid-Market neighborhood
San Francisco's future, once again, lies in the success of Market Street. Market Street Arts is a recovery plan and a set of actions for the Mid-Market neighborhood. The plan capitalizes on the creative infrastructure of San Francisco’s historic theater district, which includes buildings and public spaces along Market Street between 5th and Van Ness. The vision driving this plan: a world-renowned arts, culture and entertainment destination and haven, on par with elite international cultural districts such as the Quartier des Spectacles in Montreal.
Mid-Market History, An Arts & Entertainment Legacy
As film came to dominate entertainment at the turn of the 20th century, Mid-Market saw the opening of vaudeville theaters and cinema venues. The neighborhood was the entertainment destination. By the mid-century, Market Street’s theater golden age crashed. As this happened, in the 1960s and 70s, BART construction lasted about a decade and caused small businesses to shutter. The revival of Bill Graham and other theaters in the 1970s saved the area. Mid-Market has and continues to thrive because of arts, entertainment, and cultural organizations.
Opportunities Today
Market Street Arts will focus investment and connect the dots between the area’s unique opportunities:
● World-class Arts & Entertainment Venues
● A Growing Neighborhood
● Highly-Trafficked Regional Transit Hub
● The Heart of the City
● Diverse Range of Businesses
● Track Record of Strategy Success
A Plan with Real Action
Market Street Arts programs are the connective tissue for the neighborhood. Two cultural programs will launch in year one, building on the special programs led by area arts & entertainment venues:
Creative Hubs welcome more than
15 local arts organizations in its five inaugural Creative Hubs, which are MMBA&F-managed and subsidized spaces for creative uses in formerly vacant storefronts.
Public Events invite the public to experience live music, murals, window installations along Market Street.