Welcome!

If you haven’t been to Queer A.F. lately, let me tell you honey, we’ve been busy! Our boutique has its largest roster of artists to date, we are hosting more events than ever, and our space has never been more activated or more necessary. And yet, we are living in the most difficult of times, for our business and, most importantly, for the community we serve.

To face the challenges of this critical moment in our shared history, your donation is essential to the future of Queer Arts Featured.

At a time when social connection is actively diminished and safe spaces for queer folks are rapidly disappearing, all of our events remain accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.

Despite universally rising costs and the economically driven reduction in our sales, we are steadfast in maintaining our below market sales commission (25%-35%), ensuring our artists do not shoulder the burden.

Government grants and public arts funding simply aren’t keeping pace with the need. Most programs are increasingly competitive, restrictive, and unpredictable; especially for small organizations like ours.

In short, we rely on the generosity of our supporters and allies to maintain the health and accessibility of Queer A.F.

Your contribution gives us the stability and flexibility to continue offering what is so desperately needed right now:

Allow under-resourced artists to exhibit without prohibitive rental or overhead expenses
Cover entrance fees for low income attendees to our events centering underrepresented Queer folks across the spectrum, especially those who are Trans, BIPOC, and those with disabilities
Keep a safe, social space open and thriving for intergenerational community and creativity that does not center on alcohol, like our weekly coworking and skillsharing event, monthly literary salon, clothing swap, and unconventional art workshops, among many others
Employ under-resourced Bay Area residents who keep Queer A.F. open, active, and thriving
Maintain the historic Castro Camera storefront as a living evolution of Harvey Milk’s legacy that supports both locals and visitors from around the world

When Milk opened Castro Camera in 1972, he created more than a camera store. 575 Castro St. became the center of San Francisco’s Gay Liberation Movement and, in turn, a sanctuary where gay people could be seen, supported, and connected with each other.

As the stewards of that landmark space today, we carry his legacy forward by empowering local queer artists to create, connect, and claim their own space in history.

When we began as a six month popup in 2022, our mission centered on inclusivity, especially for folks that are historically underrepresented in the daily life of The Castro. More than three years later, our boutique, gallery, and thriving event space still honors that mission and has grown into an epicenter of safety and radical self expression for Queer people in the heart of the neighborhood.

Every dollar you give makes the future of Queer Arts Featured shine a little brighter. We are a space of resilience, art, and queer joy that refuses to fade. Here's comprehensive look at what your gift at multiple levels provides to the space, and to our community:

$10,000 - Sponsor 20 events at no cost to organizers which gives low income facilitators and non-profits the opportunity to use our space to experiment, bring communities together, and create in person connection through creativity and healing. Examples of past and recurring community events:

Monday Co-working space and potluck for those on SNAP
Weekly 12 step recovery groups centering trans and gender non-conforming folks
Art therapy collective grief workshops
Monthly poetry and prose salon Queer Bedtime Stories

$5,000 - Allow 500 low income folks to attend Queer AF hosted events free of charge. We create all of our events with access in mind, and request suggested donations with no obligation to those with lack of funds. Your gift will keep every event accessible to all.

$2,500 - Funds one exhibition like Positives & Negatives (acclaimed historical exhibit featuring work from Harvey Milk) and Wet Paint (the entire gallery becomes a living canvas for thousands of community members to contribute to)

$1,000 - Will maintain one month of discounted commission costs for all of our artists, ensuring the majority of profit from sales go directly back to them.

$500 - Cover event rental costs for one non-profit event. Past events include those for Dyke March; Castro LGBTQ Cultural District; International Pride Orchestra and Imperial Court.

$250 - Provide us with foundational support to cover the mounting costs of rent, utilities and other operational expenses for a non-profit art space.

$100 - Create access for 10 people who would otherwise not have funds to attend one of our community events.

Donate now and join the visionary community keeping this beacon alive.

Thank you for believing in the power of queer art and community, and for helping us continue the story Harvey began over fifty years ago.

In gratitude,

Devlin Shand & The Queer A.F. Family 💕

Queer Arts Featured Winter Fundraiser

Support our mission to keep Queer A.F. a third space of creativity, connection, and representation in the Castro accessible to all!