For SF's Artists, This SOMA Space Is More Than a Studio — It's a Community

Community and connection are foundationally important, especially for creatives and artists. Networking and building relationships with fellow creatives within our local community not only inspire us but also help us discover new ways to show up, grow, and share our work with others. Known simply as Decentered, Decentered Arts is a small non-profit located in SF’s SOMA neighborhood. They serve as a third space that many artists crave, offering diverse programming that creates community and welcomes creatives of all disciplines, from open mics and dance performances to rotating gallery exhibitions and more.

Decentered's mission (to build resilient community through art of all mediums) arrives at a pivotal moment for San Francisco's arts community. For decades, artists have grappled with rising costs, shrinking studio space, and the loss of venues that served as gathering places and feelings of isolation when parts of their community are being fractured by all of this change. Decentered helps San Francisco's existing vibrant and diverse arts community remain connected and thriving; creating pathways for artistic growth and interdisciplinary community through their programming and their vision for the future.

What began as an ambitious community-building effort in 2023 has evolved into a lasting presence in San Francisco's arts scene, with Decentered recently securing a permanent home with a bright future ahead at 1175 Folsom Street.

Decentered began as a series of pop-up events throughout San Francisco and eventually blossomed into a vibrant and flourishing creative community. As two of the cofounders Liz Cahill and Rhea Joseph told me, "We started as a group of friends creating programming we were passionate about. Back then, we didn't even call it programming. We were just organizing things we cared about. We wanted to create spaces where diverse voices were celebrated"

Through the years, Decentered has always woven together artists of many different disciplines with a shared commitment to artistic expression. This new location opened in September and it’s created a foundational anchor to support Decentered’s programming and commitment to fostering a stronger local art community. Now, artists can come to Decentered and set on their own path through a myriad of different possibilities.

“We want people to be able to have their entire creative journey with Decentered. They come to the open mic, then join the writers group, then get curated into poetry readings, over time they might be interested in our songwriters group, or movement workshops. Visual artists might start out as craft and chill hobbyists and then one day be on our gallery walls. The 'Decentered Pipeline' organically builds community and leads to authentic expression and artistic growth with consistent programming"

I spent some time with Liz and Rhea and asked them a bit about what makes Decentered special and how they hope it can foster community through the unique structure of Decentered programming:

Most of Decentered’s events are free or low cost to remove any barrier to entry. When I came by, they had open coworking happening during the day and folks were meeting in a dog-friendly sun-drenched room with access to wifi and basic office needs. Plus, with over 200+ events per year, Decentered offerings acknowledge the many different interests artists often have. Upcoming programming is as varied as the richly diverse community that makes up Decentered.

"We try to have something for everyone. If you like to dance, we have movement workshops. If you want to make music, we have a songwriters group and open jams. If you just want to hang out and make friends, come to coworking or hang out at our art shows."

What resonated most for me while getting to know the folks at Decentered Arts is that they are really trying to foster a strong future for arts within San Francisco and beyond; something that will thrive for years to come. They are working to build a legacy that extends beyond the walls of their space investing energy back into SF’s art community.

“Decentered Studio is our investment in San Francisco. We are here to stay and create long term change. We have a multi-year lease and a great relationship with the building’s owners who are arts supporters. We have great collaborations in the ecosystem and frequently partner with other orgs, collectives: such as Litquake, Artspan, SOMA West Community Benefit District, Ruth’s Table Lunchbox Collective, Club Rambutan and more.”

Address: 1175 Folsom St., Suite 2A, San Francisco, CA 94103
Free coworking - Monday-Thursday, 11AM-6PM
IG: @decenteredarts
Web: Decentered Arts