Youth Art Exchange

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Youth Art Exchange Youth Art Exchange sparks a shared creative practice between professional artists and public high schools.

Youth Art Exchange sparks a shared creative practice between professional artists and public high school students, furthering youth as leaders, thinkers, and artists in San Francisco. To accomplish this, Youth Art Exchange offers high quality, citywide arts education programming, field trips, and events including:

Fall Session Free High School Arts Programs
Spring Session Free High School Arts Programs with Pop Up Art Shop
Stipended Spring Internship Program
Stipended Summer Arts Internship Program
Stipended Youth leadership positions: Youth Advisory Board, Teaching Assistant Positions, Alumni Internship
the Annual San Francisco Youth Arts Summit

Our current disciplines include Architecture + Public Art, Black + White Photography, Digital Media + Film, Music + Music Production, Fashion Design, Latin Fusion Dance, Printmaking, and Coding in partnership with MissionBit.

Big thanks to our incredible Sandcastle Classic sponsors! The 44th Annual Sandcastle Classic wouldn’t be possible withou...
10/14/2026

Big thanks to our incredible Sandcastle Classic sponsors!

The 44th Annual Sandcastle Classic wouldn’t be possible without the generosity and support of our amazing sponsors and community partners!

Your contributions help make this beloved San Francisco tradition possible while supporting free, high-quality arts education for Bay Area youth through LEAP + Youth Art Exchange. ❤️

We’re so grateful to have you building alongside us and investing in the creativity of the next generation!

📍 Ocean Beach, San Francisco
📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
⏰ 11 AM – 3:30 PM

Come celebrate creativity, community, and some incredible sandcastle creations with us! 🏖️

🔗 Learn more at leapsandcastleclassic.org

The 44th Annual LEAP Sandcastle Classic is coming back to Ocean Beach!Join us on Saturday, October 24 for a day of incre...
09/29/2026

The 44th Annual LEAP Sandcastle Classic is coming back to Ocean Beach!

Join us on Saturday, October 24 for a day of incredible sand sculptures, creativity, community, and some serious Bay Area vibes

📍 Ocean Beach, San Francisco
📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
⏰ 11:00 AM–3:30 PM

Come out, bring your friends and family, and see what teams from across the Bay can build, all while supporting arts education for young people.

Free and open to the public!

Learn more at leapsandcastleclassic.org

STUDENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!Join us at the 44th Annual LEAP Sandcastle Classic at Ocean Beach and help make one of San Fra...
09/29/2026

STUDENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Join us at the 44th Annual LEAP Sandcastle Classic at Ocean Beach and help make one of San Francisco’s favorite community events happen! We are looking for any and all students wanting to volunteer day of the Sandcastle classic!

📅 Saturday, October 24
⏰ Volunteer shift: 10 AM–4 PM
📍 Ocean Beach, San Francisco

Come spend the day at the beach, support the event, meet new people, and earn volunteer/community service hours while you’re at it.

Interested? Scan the QR code on the flyer to sign up!

Tag a friend who should volunteer with you 👀

CommunityService YouthArtExchange LEAPArts

Calling all creative souls!Youth Art Exchange is on the hunt for talented Teaching Artists in the South and East Bay. If...
09/08/2026

Calling all creative souls!

Youth Art Exchange is on the hunt for talented Teaching Artists in the South and East Bay. If you have skills in Animation, Architecture, Music Production, Dance, Sewing/Textiles/Fashion, Printmaking, Darkroom Photography, Mural Arts, or Painting and Mixed Media, we want to hear from you!

Submit your resume to [email protected] and be part of an inspiring team shaping the next generation of artists.

Charles Blackwell: On View at YAXJoin us for a special exhibition featuring the work of Charles Curtis Blackwell, a San ...
08/17/2026

Charles Blackwell: On View at YAX

Join us for a special exhibition featuring the work of Charles Curtis Blackwell, a San Francisco-born poet, playwright, and educator whose work has appeared in more than 180 publications and whose decades-long practice has helped shape literary communities across California and beyond. Blackwell has also led writing workshops in California State Prisons and currently teaches at Youth Spirit Artworks in Berkeley. Charles is supported in this exhibition through Hospitality House and their Community Arts Program.

On View: August 20 – September 4

Gallery Hours
• Thursday, August 20 | 12–5 PM
• Friday, August 21 | 12–5 PM
• Thursday, August 27 | 12–5 PM
• Friday, August 28 | 12–5 PM

Youth Art Exchange
1950 Mission Street, San Francisco

Fall classes are starting soon! FREE afterschool classes for High School students taught by amazing artists here in the ...
08/12/2026

Fall classes are starting soon! FREE afterschool classes for High School students taught by amazing artists here in the Bay 🌁

Enrollment is open click the link in our Bio to sign up!

Join us weekly on Thursday’s for Afro-Brazilian Drumming with Alfie of Sambaxé Drum & Dance Company! Whether you’re pick...
08/06/2026

Join us weekly on Thursday’s for Afro-Brazilian Drumming with Alfie of Sambaxé Drum & Dance Company! Whether you’re picking up a drum for the first time or looking to deepen your skills, these sessions are all about community, movement, and the rich traditions of Afro-Brazilian music.

Thursdays through August 20
5:30 PM – 6:45 PM
Youth Art Exchange | 1950 Mission St. (@ 16th St. BART)

💜 Youth, Teachers & Non-Profits: $5
💜 Adults & Families: $10

Come make music, meet new people, and experience the joy and energy of drumming together. No experience needed—just bring your enthusiasm!

📧 [email protected]

All Levels Brazilian Percussion Class with Alfie Macias of Sambaxé Drum and Dance Company and Youth Art Exchange (YAX) a...
07/31/2026

All Levels Brazilian Percussion Class with Alfie Macias of Sambaxé Drum and Dance Company and Youth Art Exchange (YAX) at our 1950 Mission St.

6pm-7pm Drums Provided.

Educators/Students/Youth/Non-Profit Workers $5
Adults/Families $10.

Join us for the first ever Mission Missives Zine Expo!!On Saturday, August 29 from 12–4 PM, YAX Studios @ La Fénix trans...
07/28/2026

Join us for the first ever Mission Missives Zine Expo!!

On Saturday, August 29 from 12–4 PM, YAX Studios @ La Fénix transforms into a celebration of Bay Area comics, zines, illustration, and independent publishing. Browse handmade zines, original artwork, prints, artist merch, local food vendors, and meet the creators keeping DIY culture alive in San Francisco.

We’re also excited to host a special artist panel featuring:
Jordan Bennett 🕺 (Jordan Bennett)
Adrian Brawn (Adrian Brawn)
iskra (Iskra Pag-asa Verdote)
Isaiah torok (Isaiah Torok)

Hear these incredible artists talk about comics, self-publishing, illustration, and building a creative practice in the Bay Area.

La Fénix at Youth Art Exchange
Saturday, August 29
12–4 PM
FREE & open to all

Mission Missives is made possible through the support of Avenue Greenlight, helping us create opportunities for local artists, independent publishers, and our creative community to connect and thrive.

Bring a friend, support local artists, and leave with something you won’t find anywhere else.

Join us as we celebrate the closing reception of Lineage, the beautiful exhibition by Amy Diaz-Infante Siqueiros, at You...
07/24/2026

Join us as we celebrate the closing reception of Lineage, the beautiful exhibition by Amy Diaz-Infante Siqueiros, at Youth Art Exchange’s La Fénix gallery (1950 Mission St., San Francisco).

Since opening on July 11, Lineage has invited us to reflect on the connections that bind us across time and place. Exploring how our relationships with plants, food, and one another are passed from generation to generation. Through this thoughtful and immersive showcase, Amy has created a space for thought and memory.

Now it’s time to gather one last time for a community potluck and closing celebration! Come share food, conversation, and gratitude as we honor this incredible exhibition and the connections it has fostered over the past few weeks.

Thank you to Amy Diaz-Infante Siqueiros and everyone who visited, contributed, and made Lineage such a meaningful experience. We can’t wait to celebrate with you one last time.

📍 Youth Art Exchange – La Fénix
1950 Mission St., San Francisco

Address

1950 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA
94103

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

(415) 574-8137

Website

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