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One of the gallery’s first exhibitions was of NASA’s lunar photographs, and this set a tone for what followed. Soon came exhibitions by Eugene Atget, Edward Weston and Diane Arbus, and later, the Bechers, Adam Fuss, and Sol LeWitt. Projects have brought together work across all media, juxtaposing photography with painting, drawing, and sculpture. Other photographers whose work is regularly shown include Richard Avedon and Man Ray.

The emphasis here is on the varieties of non-mainstream ways that people find to be creative – to see things afresh and make something new out of them. This may include traditional folk art from all over the world.

“Tattooing is as ancient as time; modern as tomorrow.” So says Lyle Tuttle, master tattooist and museum proprietor. Display cases have documentation of tattooing practices and some of the equipment that is used in different parts of the world. The best show, however, is in the adjacent booth, where one of the artists may be adorning a client with one of their masterpieces.

Occupying the old San Francisco Mint (1875–7), on top of which the Bank of Canton has been built. The bank sponsors the museum, which focuses on the art of the Pacific Rim, aiming to bring the work of Asian artists to a wider audience. Exhibitions feature many pieces on loan from private collections and otherwise rarely seen.

Not only a museum and gallery, but also a community center for San Francisco’s Italians. Temporary exhibitions might focus on the work of an Italian artist, or on some aspect of Italian culture. Classes are also offered in the Italian language, art and architecture, and cookery.

Bi-monthly exhibitions of Mexican-American art might include painters, cartoonists, performance artists, muralists, or digital installations. Programs also include films by the likes of Surrealist Luis Buñuel, panel discussions, and performances by stars of the Latino art and music scene.

Radical and diverse art emerges out of this hotbed of creativity. The alternative multi-genre art installation combines live drama performances, video and film screenings, and panel discussions, which largely explore the influence of race and relationships on people’s work and lives.

Opened in 1970 this was one of the first galleries dedicated to showing the work of emerging Bay Area artists. In addition, the Gallery Slide Registry contains images by more than 500 professional artists from across the US.

Group and solo shows, music, and readings are just a few of the creative goings-on you can encounter in this cavernous complex under a freeway. Founded in 1975, SoMarts is a city-owned cultural center with two exhibition spaces, a 250-seat theater, and printmaking, pottery, and design studios.

With an endowment from Peanuts creator, the late Charles M. Schulz, the museum is the only one in the US dedicated to cartoon art in all its forms, with approximately 6,000 pieces in its permanent collection.