CAMPAIGN
Creative Industries
CAMPAIGN
Creative Industries
San Francisco: A hub for arts, entertainment and nightlife
San Francisco's vibrant arts, entertainment, and nightlife sectors are key to the city's cultural vibrancy and economic vitality. The city is home to over 2,600 arts and entertainment organizations, which support more than 34,000 jobs and generate $1.4 billion in wages. Additionally, San Francisco's 3,400 bars and restaurants employ over 50,000 people and provide more than $2 billion in wages.Pioneering creativity: shaping the future of arts and culture
San Francisco has always been a city of firsts: the first in the nation to municipally support a symphony orchestra, build a civic opera house, and establish a city-chartered municipal arts funding program. We were also among the first to mandate that both public and private developments allocate funds for public art. A magnet for bohemians, creative technologists, and boundary-pushers, San Francisco remains a vibrant incubator for those redefining the cultural landscape.
Art at every corner
San Francisco, the nation's most vibrant arts community, is a city where art is everywhere. This is made possible by a strong and sustained commitment to public and private arts funding.
The sound of music echoes on every street
San Francisco is where music fills the air, from major festivals to cozy bars, making it one of the country's premier cities for live performances.
We love to party
To support this thriving ecosystem, the City has launched innovative and industry-leading initiatives, like California’s first Entertainment Zones where people can enjoy to-go drinks during outdoor events, public-private partnerships for downtown arts projects, and streamlined permitting for bars, venues, and cultural events.
Supporting creative industry businesses
We collaborate closely with City agencies and industry stakeholders to drive a comprehensive strategy aimed at strengthening San Francisco’s cultural sectors, and leveraging art, entertainment, and nightlife for City economic vitality.
Our efforts focus on:
- Connecting culture sector businesses with City resources
- Reducing red tape and fees to enable thriving art, entertainment, and nightlife
- Advocating for the development of new cultural venues and the sustainability of existing ones
- Raising public awareness of the vibrancy and value of San Francisco’s cultural offerings
Contact our Business Development Team
Director of Nightlife Initiatives
ben.vanhouten@sfgov.org
Business Development Manager
kelly.varian@sfgov.org
Business Development services to help you succeed in San Francisco
Our Business Development team is here to help your company start, stay, grow and thrive in San Francisco. Whether you are launching a new venture, relocating, or scaling an existing business, here’s how we can support your success
Customized, sector-based consulting
From startups to established enterprises, our one-on-one consulting helps businesses across all industries connect with the tools they need, such as access to capital, incentives, innovative programs, and technical assistance in order to succeed in the City.
Expert guidance through permits and regulations
Need help navigating city permits, zoning, or regulatory requirements? We will guide you step-by-step to simplify the process and get your business up and running as smoothly and quickly as possible.
Talent access and workforce solutions
Finding great talent is essential. We help you connect with skilled workers and leverage training programs tailored to your hiring needs, so you can build the team that drives your business forward.
Strategic site selection
Ready to find your perfect business location? We offer confidential site selection services to help you identify ideal properties and neighborhoods for relocation or expansion within San Francisco.
Strengthening industry sectors
We work closely with businesses, industry leaders, and community stakeholders to foster sector growth, improve the business climate, and champion policies that support your long-term success.
Tailored resources for your business
Every business is unique. We will match you with the right resources, partners, and programs from our vast network to support your goals, whether you’re seeking partnerships, learning about city efforts to help businesses, or operational support.