A new artist award supporting bold, insightful work about life in the Bay Area—where we are, and where we can go
A collaboration between SHACK15 X We ♥️ SF, with support from Bay Art Agenda
About the SHACK15 Art Prize
The SHACK15 Art Prize is a new initiative rooted in the belief that supporting artists is a civic act—not charity, not a trend, but a deliberate contribution to the fabric of San Francisco.
Curated in partnership with Bay Art Agenda, the Art Prize awards a total of $200,000 in grants to seven SHACK15 Fellows, supporting the creation of new work in San Francisco through a residency, public programming, and a culminating exhibition during SF Art Week 2026. The Art Prize also offers three additional awards: Audience Choice, Curatorial Choice, and Lifetime Achievement, celebrating artistic excellence, civic imagination, and long-term impact.
Mission
Our mission is to make space, for artists, for experimentation, and for the kind of work that changes how a city sees itself.
We believe supporting artists is a civic act: not charity, not a trend, but a deliberate contribution to the cultural and emotional life of San Francisco.
Through the Art Prize, we are building infrastructure for imagination—starting with seven artists and an open invitation that If you believe art belongs at the heart of civic life, this mission is yours, too.
Vision
Our vision is to help create a San Francisco where artists are recognized as vital to its future. A city where cultural investment is not an afterthought, but a civic habit. Where institutions are porous, generosity is strategic, and care is part of the infrastructure.
We imagine public life shaped by the hands of artists—through work that is experimental, rigorous, joyful, and honest.
We’re not building a program. We’re building a precedent. One that says: we are a city that values its artists, and acts like it.
How it Works
The SHACK 15 Art Prize unfolds in two phases:
The Fellows
Seven artists are selected as SHACK15 Fellows, each receiving:
- A $20,000 unrestricted grant
- A residency at SHACK15, including membership, workspace, and mentorship
- Inclusion in a supportive creative cohort
Fellows are announced in early fall and develop their work through the end of 2025.
The Exhibition & Awards
The fellowship culminates in a public group exhibition during SF Art Week 2026, hosted at SHACK15. During the exhibition, three additional $15,000 awards are presented, including
- Audience Choice Award – Voted on by SHACK15 members
- Curatorial Choice Award – Selected by a guest curator
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Honoring a Bay Area artist for long-term impact
Together, the two phases create a full arc of artistic support—from incubation to public recognition.