The continuing displacement of Bay Area artists and loss of non-profit arts spaces contributes to an increasingly homogenous and culturally inequitable arts landscape. Artists and community-based organizations contribute to the resilience of communities by creating space for people to come together, share their stories, celebrate beauty, mourn community losses, and transform their thinking. SOMArts proudly offers the Curatorial Residency program — a unique opportunity for emerging curators and artists to utilize mentorship and support to execute a large-scale exhibition in our 31,000 square foot gallery. Prioritizing the voices of underrepresented artists, three residencies are awarded each season through an open call. The residency is designed to offer emerging and mid-career artists and curators the tools to further their curatorial practice and explore timely social issues.

This 9-month incubator has supported a wide range of artists, curators, and cultural communities ranging from The Third Muslim (curated by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Yas Ahmed, 2018), Visions into Infinite Archives (curated by Black Salt Collective, 2016), and WorkMORE! #6 (curated by Mica Sigourney, 2014), to Mourning & Scars: 20 Years After The War (curated by Roxana Leiva, 2013).