We Are All Creators!

ArtSeed is a unique and innovative arts education program. Our intergenerational and multi-disciplinary projects put students from diverse backgrounds in touch with artists and other professionals in a variety of fields. Working side-by-side in experimental and classical apprenticeships that include non-Western styles of art, participants practice hands-on artmaking, curate their own exhibitions, and learn on field trip adventures in the Presidio and beyond.

Explore Our Programs

We Are All Creators!

ArtSeed is a unique and innovative arts education program. Our intergenerational and multi-disciplinary projects put students from diverse backgrounds in touch with artists and other professionals in a variety of fields. Working side-by-side in experimental and classical apprenticeships that include non-Western styles of art, participants practice hands-on artmaking, curate their own exhibitions, and learn on field trip adventures in the Presidio and beyond.

Explore Our Programs

We Are All Creators!

ArtSeed is a unique and innovative arts education program. Our intergenerational and multi-disciplinary projects put students from diverse backgrounds in touch with artists and other professionals in a variety of fields. Working side-by-side in experimental and classical apprenticeships that include non-Western styles of art, participants practice hands-on artmaking, curate their own exhibitions, and learn on field trip adventures in the Presidio and beyond.

Explore Our Programs

Our 2026 Annual Theme:

So What Now? Figments, Domains, and Advance Directives

Moving from uncertainty toward purposeful action, we’re exploring the figments of our imagination and the domains we call home to draft the advance directives for what comes next in our world. If you’re feeling inspired now, it’s never too early to submit your artwork for our Annual Exhibition.

Recent Updates

          Two Interactive Art ExhibitionsSeed Gallery: Tanya Joyce’s Outdoors in Illinois and CaliforniaChina Brotsky Gallery: Heidi Hardin’s Earth is Home. Humans Are Family. Converge in The PresidioExhibition Location: 1012 Torney Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94129Opening Reception, 5-7 p.m., Friday, March 13, 2026Closing Reception, 5-7 p.m., Friday, May 15, 2026Exhibition open to the public: Weekdays, 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. or by appointment Our 2026 Annual Theme: So What Now? Figments, Domains, and Advance Directives Our theme for this year and the title of our Annual Open Call Exhibition is So What Now? Figments, Domains, and Advance Directives. Moving from…

Upcoming Events

March 13 – May 15, 2026

Heidi Hardin and Tanya Joyce

ArtSeed’s first two shows of the year feature Tanya Joyce’s Outdoors in Illinois and California and Heidi Hardin’s Earth is Home. Humans Are Family. You’re welcome to explore the galleries at your own pace, but if you’d like to hear the stories behind the art and learn from the creators themselves, mark your calendar! Our artists will be present at the Opening Reception on March 13, 2026 and Art-a-thon on April 18, 2026.

View Event
View Event
April 18, 2026

Art-a-thon

This six-hour art-making marathon and fundraiser kicks off our programming season. We invite participants of all ages and backgrounds to try their hand at new skills, watch demonstrations from Bay Area creators, and enjoy the live music, snacks, and drinks. Art-a-thon also helps us fund student scholarships for our Fine Arts Summer Intensive—so help us raise more than ever for a chance to win prizes from local businesses!

View Event
Register Now
April and October

Open Studios

Every year, we participate in the Hunters Point Shipyard Open Studios alongside over 140 artists! This event is a unique opportunity to explore a historic art-making space, meet creatives, and experience a wide range of inspiring work. This is hosted twice a year. Make sure to come see us at both!

View Event
July 6 – 11, 2026

Fine Arts Summer Intensive

The Fine Arts Summer Intensive is an in-person summer camp led by experienced teaching artists and guest presenters. This program provides highly motivated youngsters the opportunity to learn experimental and fine arts skills—and see their hard work featured in a public exhibition!

Learn More
July 11 – September 18 , 2026

Annual Open Call Exhibition

Inspired by our theme, So What Now? Figments, Domains, and Advance Directives, our 20th Annual Open Call Presidio Exhibition features youngsters in our programs, their mentors, and anyone else interested in submitting their artwork for consideration. Make sure to put our July 11 Opening Reception on your calendar!

View Event

Mentorships, Lessons, and Weekly Workshops

We offer year-round artist apprenticeships, mentorships, private art lessons, and small group lessons at our Presidio location. Whether you’re interested in learning something new or practicing something old, ArtSeed is the place to do it. Tuition is on a sliding scale and no one is ever turned away for a lack of funds.

Learn More

ArtSeed through the Years

ArtSeed was founded in 2000 with the vision that when treated with dignity and given real tools, young people create work far beyond what their years might suggest. Since then, we’ve helped more than 15,000 budding artists and creatives discover this for themselves! Read more about how we’ve accomplished this over the years.

Our Story

Ways to Give

Tangible, meaningful arts experiences have a substantial impact on youngsters by helping them develop self-confidence in their own talents, discipline transferable to all areas of life, and empathy for others with different experiences than their own. Help us make this happen for many more years to come by giving in the way best for you—whether that’s a few dollars today, a recurring monthly gift, or through your legacy planning.

Donate NowWays to Give

Get Involved

Volunteers

Our volunteers make the world go round. Whether you’re seeking to offer your expertise or try something new, we’re happy to be your second home and do our best to help you in return.

Artist Mentors

Most of us can point to a mentor who changed the direction of our lives. You can be that change for an ArtSeed student by acting as a role model and sharing your talent as an ongoing mentor or teaching artist.

Growing Artists

New to the arts? Professional in the sphere? We like them all! If you’re a growing artist, ArtSeed is here to help with lessons, apprenticeships, and more—whether or not you have the means.

Anyone Else

If there’s another way you’d like to contribute to ArtSeed’s mission, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us at any time for an exchange of services, in-kind donations, and more.

Submit a Participation Form

Stay in the Loop.

Follow our newsletter to hear inspiring stories, community news, and the latest ArtSeed happenings.

This field is required.
This field is required.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

“You and your staff have provided youth with an oasis and safe haven from the turbulence of the neighborhood over the past decade. We, the school and community, appreciate everything you do and hope that your programs sustain themselves here at Leola Havard Early Education School.”
Eli Horn Site Coordinator, Leola Havard Early Education School
“The number and quality of resources – both artists and artistic supplies – that ArtSeed’s programs provide are the kindling to inspire young artists and propel them to careers in art. ArtSeed’s style of apprenticeship teaching should be available to students throughout the nation.”
Leah Bedoian Volunteer, ArtSeed
“My daughters’ experience with ArtSeed’s Asian Art Museum partnership didn’t just have an effect on them. It turned me around! I cried when I opened our AAM membership letter, saw the membership cards and found my daughter’s picture in the magazine. We had a preview reception and the exhibition opened to the public on my birthday! Now I am dedicated to my children’s future in a new way.”
LaDonna Johnson Parent of an ArtSeed Participant
Volunteer or Intern
Participation Form
Mentorships
Participation Form
Artists Teachers
Participation Form
Art-a-thon
Event Flyer
Registration Form
PDF Registration Form
In-Kind Donation Request
Fundraising Tips
Summer Intensive
PDF Flyer
Registration Form
Annual Exhibition
PDF Flyer
Submission Form