CELLspace Today
CELLspace simultaneously serves two key populations in the Mission District: at-risk youth and artists. We provide young adults a space to assemble and exhibit art, produce community events, organize and thus promote positive social change. We currently house nine visual arts studios, a 10,000 square foot performance space, adult arts education programming, a visual arts gallery, a metal shop, and woodshop.
By serving both youth and adults simultaneously, each population benefits from being exposed to the interests and experiences of one another - a rewarding experience that they may not get otherwise. CELLspace occasionally offers fiscal sponsorship for emerging community projects. We currently are the fiscal sponsor of the following projects: Green Depot Sustainable Solutions Project, HealthFuel, The Big Tadoo Puppet Crew, and the Hoffman Music Project.
History
CELLspace was founded on the Spring Equinox of 1996 when a group of artists and educators leased a former screen printing warehouse on Bryant Street to develop a communal workspace for collaborative and community based arts. This dedicated staff of volunteers nurtured and developed this vision over the years, and eventually filed for 501c3 (nonprofit) status. Events, classes, exhibits, and other types of arts and programming happened while the community developed the actual space inside of CELL, and grants soon came in to support our mission.
CELLspace recently grew in its scope and outreach, expanding its youth services to now offer after school arts classes, tutoring, counseling, off-site workshops, leadership opportunities, and vocational training.
A three year capital campaign helped a city mandated renovation project needed to obtain our Place of Entertainment permit, making us a legal venue for nighttime entertainment. Since our inception, we have provided affordable space for artists to develop their artistic mediums. This not only includes events and exhibits, but also the following: puppetry, circus arts, metalsmithing, fine arts, performing arts, craft making, music recording, and more.
As we head into our 13th year as a Mission District multi-use arts facility, we are embarking on a renewal of spirit and responsibility. Part of that responsibility is asking for all those who have felt the difference CELLspace has made in their lives to spread the word about all the new work done on the facility, and the new energy going into creating a sustainable structure for the future.