Creativity Explored

Creativity Explored Creativity Explored is a studio-based collective in San Francisco that partners with developmentally Art changes lives!

Creativity Explored was founded on a belief that art is essential to life. We exist to provide developmentally disabled people access to the human right of creative expression. Creativity Explored was founded in San Francisco in 1983 by Florence and Elias Katz, an artist and a psychologist. Sparked by the nationwide deinstitutionalization of disabled people, the duo launched a movement that expanded defined notions of artistry when they founded three Bay Area organizations – Creativity Explored, Creative Growth, and NIAD (Nurturing Independence through Artistic Development). Our organizations honor the Katzs’ legacy in the Bay Area by continuing to collaborate, co-curate exhibitions, and share resources. Together our programs serve as a model for the field of art and disability worldwide. Creativity Explored now serves 130 artists and has facilitated the careers of hundreds of disabled artists. Creativity Explored artists have seen their work exhibited in museums, galleries, and art fairs in over 14 countries and have earned over $2 million from their art. Our life-changing programs continue to open doors of inclusion to center the personhood and creative vision of people with developmental disabilities. Most importantly, Creativity Explored is a source of community, empowerment and dignity. At Creativity Explored, we believe in a future society with an enlightened understanding of its relationship with neurodiverse people—one that has evolved from one-way support to mutually-enriching growth. We see a society strengthened by an authentic appreciation of all people’s creative contributions. In times of great transition, we continue to center the personhood and agency of our artists in all our efforts, asking, “What is important to you?” We will continue to innovate to provide safe and virtual services that enrich the lives of our artists, their families and supporters, on their terms. Our dedicated staff, board, and volunteers are also expanding our commitment to racial justice and disability advocacy by amplifying the voices of studio artists of color and artists who are immigrants. We are proud to create space for our artists and staff to learn about and honor diversity by examining and celebrating the intersections of disability, race, ethnicity, class, gender, and other facets of our identities.

CE's booth is ready for prime time ! We're pretty excited about our setup this year — big thanks to Sterling Graphics ()...
03/20/2026

CE's booth is ready for prime time ! We're pretty excited about our setup this year — big thanks to Sterling Graphics () for helping make our vision a reality in vinyl!
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The fair is open 11:00 am–8:00 pm Friday and Saturday, and 11:00–6:00 on Sunday. There are a ton of great artist talks and panels today — swipe over to get the schedule!

Who's ready for ?! This week our Exhibitions team is in New York setting up for one of our favorite art fairs of the yea...
03/16/2026

Who's ready for ?! This week our Exhibitions team is in New York setting up for one of our favorite art fairs of the year, and we're super excited to show off the work we've brought with us by CE artists.

Here's a sneak peek, with more to come in a few days. And if you're in NY this weekend, be sure to visit us at booth C3!

Artworks:
1. Douglas Sheran, Untitled, ca. 2005, acrylic on magazine page13 x 10 in.

2. Jesus Huezo Cardenas, Untitled, 2025, acrylic on paper14.5 x 14 in.

3. Gerald Wiggins, Untitled, 2020, soldered wood and acrylic23.75 x 24 in.

4. Vincent Jackson, Untitled, 2025, wax crayon on paper13 x 9.75 in.

Camp Imaginate is approaching! 🎨🌟 It's time to register your campers for our spring break and summer art camps! 🖌️ Camp ...
03/12/2026

Camp Imaginate is approaching! 🎨🌟 It's time to register your campers for our spring break and summer art camps!

🖌️ Camp Imaginate is an inclusive art camp where students of all abilities are able to explore their creativity and have fun with art!

What to expect:
🖼️ Hands-on art making in painting, ceramics, fiber arts, and more
👩‍🎨 Sessions led by professional teaching artists
🪁 Inclusive, person-centered, and fun programming with lots of socializing opportunities
💗 Special focus on young people with disabilities
😃 Affordable and flexible pricing

🔗 Learn more + register now: https://www.creativityexplored.org/camp-imaginate

Image descriptions:
1. A camper with blonde hair and a blue Warriors sweatshirt smiles at the camera with paintbrush in hand. He sits next to a staff member with blonde hair, wearing a black mask. They are at a table with paintbrushes, acrylic paints, and a canvas on an easle that the camper has painted with red, yellow, grey, and black paint in an abstract style.
2. White text on an orange square details "Sessions" "Spring Break: •March 30-April 3 Summer Camp: •June 15-26 •June 29-July 10 •July 13-July 24 •July 27-August 7. White text on a turquoise square reads "Pricing" "Spring Break: •$265.99 (1-week session) Summer Camp: •$525.99 (2-week session) Scholarships and flexible pricing available. Below is a photo of an artist with brown curly hair, magenta eye glasses, and a light pink sweatshirt with Christmas ornaments on it, smiling at the camera. She stands in the art studio in front of one of her framed abstract art pieces.
3. A photo shows a colorful decorated poster that says "Camp Imaginate" in black bold letters. Below, text reads "Register Now at campimaginate.org" with additional contact information reading "(415) 863-2108" and "camp@creativityexplored.org"

📆 Save the Date!Art Changes Lives Gala CelebrationFriday, April 24Fort Mason Gateway PavillionMark your calendars for CE...
03/07/2026

📆 Save the Date!
Art Changes Lives Gala Celebration

Friday, April 24
Fort Mason Gateway Pavillion

Mark your calendars for CE's annual fundraising celebration, where we cheer on our artists of all ages and come together to enable them to transcend all limitations. Stay tuned for more details and ticket access!

Have questions in the meantime? Contact us at development@creativityexplored.org.

Just a few weeks left to catch the current exhibition in our main gallery, Hung Kei Shiu: Color Field! Hung Kei has been...
03/06/2026

Just a few weeks left to catch the current exhibition in our main gallery, Hung Kei Shiu: Color Field!

Hung Kei has been working with CE for nearly 40 years, from way back near the when the studio first opened, and we're thrilled to be able to shine a light on his amazing work. Be sure to swing by and check it out before the show closes!

Creativity Explored Gallery
3245 16th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

Gallery hours:
Thursdays: 3:00–6:00 pm
Fridays: 3:00–6:00 pm
Saturdays: 12:00–5:00 pm

🌸 Spring forward with us! 🌸The weather's getting warmer, it's lighter later, and the CE studios are bursting with light ...
03/06/2026

🌸 Spring forward with us! 🌸

The weather's getting warmer, it's lighter later, and the CE studios are bursting with light and energy! To celebrate the season, our Gallery team has assembled some bright and colorful pieces by our community of artists to freshen up your space.

🔗 Visit the shop to check out the newly curated selection of sunny specialties: https://www.creativityexplored.org/shop/march-spring-luck

Artworks:
1. Kevin Chu, Violets, 2020, mixed media on paper, 16 x 20 in.
2. James Nielsen, Untitled, 2024, acrylic, ink and watercolor on paper, 22 x 22 in.
3. Ayana Norwood, Untitled, 2022, mixed media on paper, 18.5 x 22 in.
4. Nubia Ortega, Untitled, 2021, mixed media on paper, 11 x 17 in.
5. Kevin Roach, Untitled (Drips I), 2019, mixed media on paper, 22.5 x 15.25 in.
6. Albert Duong, Untitled (Peter Rabbit), 2023, graphite and colored pencil on paper, 16 x 14 in.
7. Donna Osborn, Untitled, 2024, watercolor on paper, 12 x 16.5 in.
8. Carlos Guillen, Hummingbird, 2024, graphite and watercolor on paper, 11.5 x 14.5 in.
9. Stella Tse, Untitled, 2023, watercolor on paper, 22.5 x 30 in.

We're excited to have part of the CE team on the ground in Tokyo this week, with our Director of Art Partnerships Harrie...
02/27/2026

We're excited to have part of the CE team on the ground in Tokyo this week, with our Director of Art Partnerships Harriet Salmon participating on the jury of the Art Prize 2026!

The Heralbony Art Prize is an international art award established in 2024 to provide a platform for artists with disabilities from around the world, regardless of their professional status, age, or nationality, to showcase their creative power and support the blossoming of their careers.The prize includes a Grand Prize and Jury Awards selected by professionals such as curators and gallery directors, as well as Corporate Awards sponsored by companies that align with Heralbony's vision of reshaping the image of "disability and art." The exhibition of award-winning works will present unique creations expressed through diverse materials, techniques, and styles, delivering the power of expression to a wide audience.

We'll be looking forward to the announcement of the selected winners, coming next month! Find out more about the jury here: https://artprize.heralbony.jp/en/judges/



Camp Imaginate is going to be so much fun! 🎨🌟 We are now registering youth campers for our spring break and summer art c...
02/25/2026

Camp Imaginate is going to be so much fun! 🎨🌟 We are now registering youth campers for our spring break and summer art camps!

🖌️Camp Imaginate is an inclusive art camp where students of all abilities are able to explore their creativity and have fun with art!

What to expect:
🖼️ Hands-on art making in painting, ceramics, fiber arts, and more
👩‍🎨 Sessions led by professional teaching artists
🪁 Inclusive, person-centered, and fun programming with lots of socializing opportunities
💗 Special focus on young people with disabilities
😃 Affordable and flexible pricing

🔗 Learn more + register now: https://www.creativityexplored.org/camp-imaginate

Spring Session:⁠
March 30–April 3⁠
⁠
Summer Sessions:⁠
June 15–26⁠
June 29–July 10⁠
July 13–24⁠
July 27–August 7

Calling all San Francisco arts nonprofits! 📣The 's Culture Forward grant, which was instrumental in launching the inaugu...
02/23/2026

Calling all San Francisco arts nonprofits! 📣

The 's Culture Forward grant, which was instrumental in launching the inaugural Creativity Explored x Open Invitational art fair last month, is accepting applications for one more week! This is an amazing program, and we are honored to be one of its recipients.

Culture Forward is a $5 million grant initiative by The Svane Family Foundation supporting arts and culture projects that attract families, students, and young professionals to Downtown San Francisco. Grants are open to individual artists, collectives, and arts and culture organizations. Applications opened on January 7th, 2025, and will remain open on a rolling bases through 2027. Grant projects will be reviewed and awarded quarterly. The next deadline is 11:59PM on March 1, 2026.

🔗 Application link: https://www.svaneff.org/cultureforward

❤️ Feel the love at CE ❤️It's almost Valentine's Day, and we’ve assembled some lovely original art in CE's online store,...
02/12/2026

❤️ Feel the love at CE ❤️

It's almost Valentine's Day, and we’ve assembled some lovely original art in CE's online store, hand-picked for the occasion! These beautiful arkworks make great last-minute gifts — if you're in the area, you can swing by our gallery and pick up any of these pieces, all nicely wrapped, just in time for your dinner date. Head over to the shop to browse available artworks: https://www.creativityexplored.org/shop/february-love

BONUS DATE IDEA — On Saturday, the gallery and studio will be open for a special artwork sale, with dozens of pieces on display and available for purchase. Bring your sweetheart and find something special to take home with you!

VALENTINE'S DAY STUDIO SALE

Saturday, February 14
12:00–5:00 pm
CE Gallery @ 3245 16th Street

Artworks:
1. Jesus Huezo, N**e Drawing Session (Titanic), 2023, marker and watercolor on paper, 17.25 x 22 in.

2. Michael Washington, Things That Are Purple, 2024, paint pen on calendar paper, 12.5 x 10.5 in

3. Doris Yen, Untitled (Two Red Hearts), 2020, acrylic on paper, 22 x 30 in

4. Ana Maria Vidalon, Untitled, ca. 2008–2017, watercolor, marker and correction pen on paper, 22 x 30 in.

5. Douglas Sheran, Untitled, ca. 2005, acrylic on magazine page, 13 x 10 in.

6. Ethel Revita, Untitled (Heart), 2020, watercolor and colored pencil on paper, 5 × 8 in.

CE is hiring! 💪The Temporary, Part-Time Registrar will play a major role in implementing a time-limited project to impro...
02/09/2026

CE is hiring! 💪

The Temporary, Part-Time Registrar will play a major role in implementing a time-limited project to improve CE's digital asset management system. The project will include but not be limited to the documentation of newly made artwork, the creation of new records for artwork in the organization’s digital asset management system (ArtCloud), and the storing of physical artwork. The Temporary, Part-Time Registrar will exercise their own discretion to oversee the planning and implementation of ArtCloud protocols and will track all artworks leaving and returning to the CE studios for opportunities including but not limited to consignments, loans, sales and art fairs. Through accurate ArtCloud management, they will oversee the stability, accessibility and safekeeping of a large physical artwork archive and an extensive digital archive. The system they plan will be adopted and used by the staff of Creativity Explored during and after the Temporary, Part-Time Registrar’s work period and will strengthen business strategies and opportunities for the organization into the future.

Sound like you or someone you know? Application link here: https://www.creativityexplored.org/careers/temp-part-time-registrar-2026

Camp Imaginate is open for registration! 🎨🌟 We are now registering youth campers for our spring break and summer art cam...
02/06/2026

Camp Imaginate is open for registration! 🎨🌟 We are now registering youth campers for our spring break and summer art camps!

🖌️ Camp Imaginate is an inclusive art camp where students of all abilities are able to explore their creativity and have fun with art!

What to expect:
🖼️ Hands-on art making in painting, ceramics, fiber arts, and more
👩‍🎨 Sessions led by professional teaching artists
🪁 Inclusive, person-centered, and fun programming with lots of socializing opportunities
💗 Special focus on young people with disabilities
😃 Affordable and flexible pricing

Camp Imaginate runs Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–3:00 pm

Spring Session:
March 30–April 3

Summer Sessions:
June 15–26
June 29–July 10
July 13–24
July 27–August 7

🔗 Learn more + register now: https://www.creativityexplored.org/camp-imaginate

Image description:
1. A white rounded square shape with orange text reads "Creativity Explored Camp Imaginate registration now open!" A photo shows a smiling youth artist as she makes a large abstract artwork on green paper. White text on orange background reads "Spring Break & Summer Art Camps" with bullets listing "•In San Francisco's Mission District •For artists of all abilities grades 6-12 •Special focus on young people with disabilities •Monday-Friday, 8:30am-3:00pm
2. White text on an orange square details "Sessions" "Spring Break: •March 30-April 3 Summer Camp: •June 15-26 •June 29-July 10 •July 13-July 24 •July 27-August 7. White text on a turquoise square reads "Pricing" "Spring Break: •$265.99 (1-week session) Summer Camp: •$525.99 (2-week session) Scholarships and flexible pricing available." Below, a photo shows a youth staff member with dark curly hair and dark blue mask sitting with a smiling camper wearing black ear defenders and a red shirt. They are at an art museum and sit in front of a large colorful abstract piece.
3. A photo shows a colorful decorated poster that says "Camp Imaginate" in black bold letters. Below, text reads "Register Now at campimaginate.org" with additional contact information reading "(415) 863-2108" and "camp@creativityexplored.org"

Address

3245 16th Street
San Francisco, CA
94103

Opening Hours

Friday 3pm - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm

Telephone

+14158632108

Website

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