- San Francisco
- SoMa
447 Minna – Dempster Building
At 447 Minna, we welcome a range of arts and cultural practices spanning from visual arts to performing arts, contemporary…
We AreCast
(Clockwise from top) Art: Tan Sirinumas.
Art: Maya Fuji.
Photos: (R) Artist Mattie Loyce, photo by Mayra Sanchez (L) Ivy Monteiro, photo by Robbie Sweeny
CAST — the Community Arts Stabilization Trust — is a community-centered real estate organization for artists and cultural workers in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Our Partnerships
In deep partnership with local communities, we model new ways to secure and steward affordable, inclusive spaces for creative and cultural expression.
- Read more about 447 Minna – Dempster Building
- Read more about CounterPulse
- San Francisco
- The Tenderloin
CounterPulse
CounterPulse, a staple in San Francisco’s art scene for over 30 years, has long been a catalyst for experimental and…
- Read more about Geneva Car Barn & Powerhouse
- San Francisco
- Excelsior
Geneva Car Barn & Powerhouse
The Geneva Car Barn and Powerhouse is a collaboration with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department to renovate a historic…
Photos by Mogli Maureal
(Top) Artists Cece Carpio & Pancho Pescador
(Bottom) Haight Street Art Center
What We Do
We are building a new real estate paradigm in the Bay Area — a better system that recognizes the essential role of arts and culture in communities and creates a long-term engine for ensuring artists and cultural workers can stay anchored where they create.
We enter communities with care, build relationships with people to understand the diversity of each community, and share knowledge to strengthen the capacity of people to help them find agency in whatever path they choose, be it ownership or a long-term lease.
We model new ways to secure and steward affordable, inclusive spaces for creative and cultural expression. Our creative and community-centered perspective on real estate, coupled with our community development and real estate expertise, enables us to build a bridge between arts and culture and real estate.
Understanding that not every arts group wants to own or is in a position to manage a building, we provide a stable “container” so artists and cultural organizations can focus on what matters most–bringing their valuable programs to the community. Access affordable space at 447 Minna for short-term rentals like rehearsals, screenings, art exhibitions, workshops, or popups that help grow your business.
Carolyn Johnson
CEO
Black Cultural Zone
CAST is an essential partner because they center arts and culture, and the resources and expertise that they bring will make sure that we don’t lose that focus. We could not do this project without CAST.
Tom DeCaigny
Executive Director, Create CA
Former Director of Cultural Affairs, City of San Francisco, 2012-2020
CAST is a great partner with the public sector…what CAST offers is a vehicle for holding a private asset in trust, something that the government has a really hard time doing and certainly can’t do in a nimble fashion. CAST’s real beauty is its potential to scale, thinking to the future.
Trevor Parham
Founder & CEO
Oakstop
CAST has been critical in helping Oakstop purchase our original building in downtown Oakland. Their partnership has included access to patient capital, support with financial modeling, guidance through the development process, and even connections to other partners and clients. Their model offers a needed approach that should be replicated throughout California and to other cities across the country.
Photo: Musician Nikbo
Art: Cherisse Alcantara
Ready to get involved with CAST?
Explore our partnership, co-creation, and volunteer opportunities.
News & Events
- Community Event
- 447 Minna – Dempster Building
Undiscovered SF: Leaders of the New School
Saturday, September 16th, 2023
12:00 pm6:00 pm
UNDISCOVERED Block Party is a curated collection of emerging artists and merchants celebrating San Francisco’s Filipino cultural district – SOMA Pilipinas! Enjoy a curated collection of local artisans, food vendors, art, and live music/dance performances.
- Real Estate Solutions
2023 Equitable Development Initiative
The Equitable Development Initiative combines local knowledge, strategic partnerships, and program design expertise to support developers of color in advancing their careers and making a positive impact on communities.
- Real Estate Solutions
Why Oakland’s Struggling Office Market Was Good News for This Black-Owned Business
With $2.5 million in financing help from CAST and lending support from Community Vision, Oakstop was able to purchase its flagship building at 1721 Broadway for $8 million.
- Real Estate Solutions
For Years, Philanthropy Has Been Trying to Buy Buildings For The Arts. Now We Know It Works
San Francisco’s CounterPulse shows how arts organizations can take advantage of a lease-to-own model developed by CAST.
