FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
media@somarts.org
SOMArts Cultural Center Awarded Inaugural Culture Forward Grant
from the Svane Family Foundation
April 23, 2025, San Francisco, CA — SOMArts Cultural Center is thrilled to announce it has been selected as a recipient of the inaugural Culture Forward grant, generously funded by the Svane Family Foundation. This critical investment supports SOMArts’ mission to advance cultural equity, amplify underrepresented voices, and foster transformative, community-rooted art experiences in the Bay Area.
Awarded to organizations reshaping the cultural landscape through innovation, accessibility, and community-driven programming, the Culture Forward grant recognizes SOMArts for its longstanding leadership in experimental, interdisciplinary, and justice-centered work that reflects and serves San Francisco’s rich diversity.
This grant comes at a pivotal moment, as arts organizations across the country face widespread funding cuts. “When cities lose diversity, they lose their soul,” said Maria Jenson, Executive Director of SOMArts. “Supporting community-rooted organizations like SOMArts is not only a defense against cultural erosion—it’s an investment in equity, joy, and the future of vibrant, inclusive cities. We are honored by the Svane Family Foundation’s belief in our work and in the power of art to drive social change.”
With support from the Culture Forward grant, SOMArts will launch an exciting new initiative in collaboration with Oakland To All and the California College of the Arts Fashion Design Program. The program will offer a series of intergenerational, all-abilities fashion design workshops, culminating in a dynamic, all-ages community fashion show and a high-energy, fashion-themed ball. These public events, set in the heart of San Francisco’s SOMA neighborhood, will celebrate self-expression, creativity, and belonging—bringing hundreds of participants and community members together.
About SOMArts Cultural Center
Located in the heart of San Francisco, SOMArts Cultural Center is a multidisciplinary arts hub and cultural anchor. Through residencies, exhibitions, performances, and strategic partnerships, SOMArts supports artists working at the intersection of contemporary art and social justice.
About the Svane Family Foundation
The Svane Family Foundation funds initiatives that drive systemic change through innovation and creative empowerment. With a focus on equity in the arts, education, and entrepreneurship, the Foundation is committed to uplifting bold ideas that build a more inclusive and imaginative future.
Photo credit: Image courtesy of Oakland For All, Photo by Randy Lucina @Vandecent
In the photo: Aurris Louboutin Garçon
