African American Art & Culture Complex

Visitors on their way to capture an iconic photo of the famous Painted Ladies on Steiner Street should not miss a visit to the African American Art & Culture Complex, a vital resource for the African / African-American community and San Francisco’s arts and cultural communities. Established as an official Cultural Center of San Francisco in 1989, AAACC is dedicated to community change by fostering a commitment to service and activism through Afro-centric artistic and cultural performance, exhibitions, and programming. The 34,000 sq. ft. facility houses the Sargent Johnson art gallery, three art exhibitions spaces, the 203-seat Buriel Clay theater, a recording studio, library and archives of African-American history, two dance studios, and other multi-purpose space.

AAACC offers visual and performing arts programs and classes including music, dance, theatre, audio recording, and arts and crafts. The Center also offers affordable performing arts venues for a host of community events, meetings, performances, art exhibits, trainings, and conferences.

AAACC's space serves as a home to some of the most respected performing arts organizations in the Bay Area including Afro Solo Theatre Company, the African American Shakespeare Company, the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, and Cultural Odyssey. Other resident art organizations include the San Francisco African American Historical and Cultural Society and the San Francisco Juneteenth Festival.