Amid anti-war protests and struggles to establish civil rights in the 1960s, the Neighborhood Arts Program (NAP) was created by the San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) to promote community by providing funding for the arts that reaches beyond the city’s established arts institutions. Under the direction of Martin Snipper, the city purchased the 26,000-square-foot Brannan Street building that became home to Support Services for the Arts. This program eventually provides the city with four artistic services:

  • The Mural Resource Center: helps to coordinate and supervise 4-5 annual mural projects throughout the city and is funded solely by the Mayor’s Office of Community Development. MRC supported artist Mike Rios’ mural that became a Carlos Santana album cover.
  • The Costume Bank: home to over 3,000 costumes and accessories, which are available to rent for community performances. Commissioned costumes are also created.
  • Graphic Services: provides artists with colored flyers for promotion, the assistance of a professional publicist, and access to a media handbook.
  • Technical Services: Assist in the construction of stages of installations and design of sound and lighting systems for local performances and events.