San Francisco Art Institute

The San Francisco Art Institute is an art college at 800 Chestnut Street in Russian Hill overlooking the bay of San Francisco. The buildings follow the Spanish Colonial Revival style and house studios, galleries and classrooms within a sprawling complex.

The institution was founded in 1871 as the California School of Design and changed its name in 1961. After more than 150 years it ceased operations in July 2022.

The school has carried its name since 1961 and shaped generations of artists in the Bay Area. Visitors can explore the exhibition spaces where works by former and current artists are displayed.

The main building is located in a hilly neighborhood and is easily reachable on foot. The outdoor area with an amphitheater invites visitors to rest while enjoying open views over the water.

In the 1940s the first fine art photography department in the United States was established here under Ansel Adams and Minor White. Diego Rivera created a large fresco specifically for this site in 1930 linking mural art with Californian architecture.

Location: San Francisco

Inception: 1961

Architects: John Bakewell Jr., Arthur Brown, Jr.

Architectural style: modern architecture

Industry: higher education

Address: 800 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA, 94133-2299

Phone: +1(415)7494500

Website: https://sfai.edu

GPS coordinates: 37.80350,-122.41700

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:24