Fort Mason Center

Fort Mason Center is a dynamic waterfront destination for thought-provoking programs, events and organizations which support and reflect the evolving cultural fabric of San Francisco.

DESCRIPTION
Fort Mason Center embodies the essence of San Francisco - nearness to nature, combined with novel architecture, a nod to the past, and a dose of the different. Nine Mission Revival buildings with a total of 300,000 square feet of space offer 17 venues that host events of all types and sizes. This includes classrooms, galleries, meeting rooms, performance spaces, and a large conference center. Two of the Center's piers are used for major events. The Herbst Pavilion accommodates 3,000 and the Festival Pavilion can hold 5,000. The 437-seat Cowell Theater provides state-of-the-art performance space .

RESIDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Our multi-tenant nonprofit model encourages collaboration among the nearly 25 nonprofit organizations residing on the Fort Mason Center campus. The diversity of the groups reflects the diverse interests of those who live in the San Francisco Bay Area. Theaters, museums, a music school, a maritime library, and a radio station join a gourmet vegetarian restaurant, several environmental groups, a bookstore, and many others to create a campus bustling with activity every day. To be considered for residency, organizations must meet criteria, which include providing affordable public programs to the community.

ACTIVITIES
Between resident and nonresident organizations, Fort Mason Center hosts more than 15,000 activities each year. These include exhibits, fairs, lectures, festivals, performances, fundraisers, and food and wine events, as well as classes and workshops. Among the many events that return to the Center year after year are the Tribal & Textile Arts show, the Contemporary Crafts Market, the Zinfandel Advocates and Producers, and San Francisco Open Studio. The San Francisco Fall Antiques Show, Pacific Orchid Exposition, and Macy's "Passport to Fashion Show" (a major AIDS/HIV benefit), are also annual events.

ATTENDANCE: 1.5 million annually

FUNDING: Fort Mason Center is self-sufficient regarding day-to-day operating expenses through earned income. The Center relies on outside funding for capital improvements ad special projects.