Root Division
{{Short description|Arts nonprofit organization in San Francisco}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Root Division
| formation = {{start date and age|2002}}
| type = Arts nonprofit
| headquarters = 1131 Mission Street,
San Francisco, California, U.S.
| coordinates = {{Coord|37.779471|-122.411705|display=inline,title}}
| leader_title = Executive Director
| leader_name = Michelle Mansour
| website = [https://rootdivision.org/ Official website]
}}
Root Division is an American arts nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2002. It is located in San Francisco, California.{{Cite web |last=Huang |first=Jia Jia |date=2022-11-11 |title=San Francisco’s Vibrant Art Scene Isn’t Dying Out Anytime Soon |url=https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/san-francisco-art-scene-dealers-curators-artists-respond-times-report-1234646443/ |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=ARTnews.com |language=en-US}} They provide a gallery space for exhibition opportunities to emerging and mid-career artists. It also provides art classes, artist residencies, and art studio space.{{Cite web |last=Dineen |first=J. K. |date=2015-03-10 |title=A feat in S.F.: Arts group Root Division finds a space to rent |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/A-feat-in-S-F-Arts-group-Root-Division-finds-a-6124411.php |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US |issn=1932-8672}}{{Cite web |date=2015-03-16 |title=Root Division Finds Permanent Home, Expands Arts Programming In Mid-Market |url=https://hoodline.com/2015/03/root-division-finds-permanent-home-expands-arts-programming-in-mid-market/ |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=Hoodline.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Garchik |first=Leah |date=2019-05-02 |title=An artist’s promise, more beautiful than one could imagine |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/leahgarchik/article/An-artist-s-promise-more-beautiful-than-one-13812178.php |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US |issn=1932-8672}}{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Emily |date=2024-07-18 |title=In ‘With Open Eyes,’ Artists Deploy Dignity and Softness in Depictions of Black Life |url=https://www.kqed.org/arts/13961299/with-open-eyes-root-division-review |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=www.kqed.org |language=en}}
History
The organization was founded in 2002, by three graduates of San Francisco Art Institute. For many years it operated out of the 3175 17th Street building in the Mission District, a 7,000-square-foot space owned by the nonprofit Seven Teepees. Due to gentrification and a steep rise in rent, Root Division had to leave the building in 2015.{{Cite web |last=Zack |first=Jessica |date=2015-09-23 |title=Artist community digs deep to fund Root Division’s new home |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/Artist-community-digs-deep-to-fund-Root-6524586.php |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US |issn=1932-8672}} They were awarded funds from the city and county of San Francisco's Nonprofit Displacement Mitigation Fund, as well as fund raised for the expenses of moving and remodeling to their new location at 1131 Mission Street in the Mid-Market/South of Market neighborhood. The new location is a 13,000-square-foot building, almost doubling their space.
Background
Root Division is located in a building at 7th Street in Mid-Market neighborhood, and provide a gallery space for rotating exhibitions.{{Cite web |last=Demarais |first=Charles |date=2016-01-27 |title=Make no mistake, catch latest Root Division exhibit |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/art/article/Make-no-mistake-catch-latest-Root-Division-6788008.php |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US |issn=1932-8672}}{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Emily |date=2022-11-20 |title=Two Artists’ Quest to Free Their Ancestors |url=http://hyperallergic.com/781474/heesoo-kwon-trina-michelle-robinson-quest-to-free-their-ancestors/ |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=Hyperallergic |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Brice |first=Anne |date=2021-08-06 |title=Art exhibition asks: Who counts in America? |url=https://news.berkeley.edu/2021/08/06/exhibition-stephanie-syjuco-art-practice/ |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=Berkeley News, University of California, Berkeley |language=en-US}} Many of their exhibitions are led by independent and emerging curators, as well as hosting art fundraisers and auctions.{{Cite news |date=2009-04-23 |title=Works you can sink your teeth into |pages=A29 |work=The San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113858364/works-you-can-sink-your-teeth-into/ |access-date=2022-11-30 |issn=2574-593X}}{{Cite news |date=2005-06-24 |title=Summer Art Olympics |pages=23 |work=The San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113858820/summer-art-olympics/ |access-date=2022-11-30 |issn=2574-593X}} Art classes hosted are for both adults and youth. It has 22 artists’ studios, occupied by some 28 artists (some studios are shared). The Root Division artist residencies last for up to 2 years.
Since 2007, Michelle Mansour is the executive director of the organization.{{Cite web |last=Mureithi |first=Carlos |date=2017-10-26 |title=Root Division to host art auction on Mission Street Thursday |url=http://missionlocal.org/2017/10/root-division-to-host-art-auction-on-mission-street-thursday/ |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=Mission Local |language=en-US}}
Notable associated people
{{Columns-list|colwidth=15em|
- Shaghayegh Cyrous
- Elastic Future, experimental theater group
- Amy Ellingson
- Midori (author)
- Noah Scalin
- Keyvan Shovir
- Katie Vida
- Julie Weitz
}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://rootdivision.org/ Official website]
{{Bay Area Arts Organizations|state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Art museums and galleries in San Francisco
Category:Arts organizations based in the San Francisco Bay Area
Category:Culture of San Francisco
Category:501(c)(3) organizations
Category:Arts organizations established in 2002